In a letter to trade minister Douglas Alexander, the National Pig Association says a failure to recognise the difference in regimes between the two countries would be a “betrayal” of UK farmers.
A deal between Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump could be signed as early as this week, reports have suggested, with carve-outs from tariffs on British steel and carmaking.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during his meeting with Donald Trump at the White House in February (Photo: Carl Court/Pool via REUTERS)
Yet the NPA has raised concerns over the way pigs are farmed in the US.
“To give just one example, sow stalls are still used across the USA. Not only has their use been banned in the UK since 1999 but the British pig industry has also significantly reduced its antibiotic use by 69 per cent since 2015, with an ongoing commitment to reduce this further.
“As part of the deal currently being negotiated with the USA, and as part of any increased access for American agricultural products, we strongly urge the government to ensure that this difference in animal welfare standards and methods of production is recognised.
Mutimer has requested a meeting with Alexander to discuss the issue.
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The NFU has insisted that ministers must uphold their commitments on food safety and animal welfare, but farmers also warned the Government against giving the US favourable terms when it came to agriculture produce in return for a cut in tariffs.
“A deal in which we open our markets to US produce in return for nothing more than the reduction or removal of tariffs which didn’t exist eight weeks ago would be an unimaginable failure and is not a deal in anything but name,” he added.
A Department for Business and Trade spokesman said: “We will only ever sign trade agreements which aligns with the UK’s national interests, and we will not lower our high food standards, including on animal welfare.”
Badenoch in row with India over trade deal
The Conservative leader attacked Sir Keir Starmer for agreeing to a free trade deal with New Delhi that will see Indian employees working in Britain being exempt from paying national insurance contributions for three years.
But according to the Financial Times, Indian officials insisted Badenoch agreed to the principle of carving out national insurance contributions for Indian employees when she was leading negotiations with New Delhi during her time as trade secretary under the previous Tory administration.
But Badenoch refuted the claims, branding the suggestion that she was signed up to giving India any national insurance exemption as “fake news”.
“As I have always said – No Deal is Better Than a Bad Deal.”
Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory former Brexit Secretary, added on X/Twitter: “Cheaper food and drink including rice and tea, footwear and clothing thanks to a welcome trade deal with India. Exactly what Brexit promised.”
Sir Keir Starmer dismissed opposition criticism of tax exemptions in the UK-India trade deal as “incoherent nonsense” as he insisted the agreement was a “huge win” for Britons.
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