NFU tells Starmer to hold firm on poultry standards

Farmer leader Tom Bradshaw has urged Keir Starmer to hold firm on poultry production standards when negotiating trade deals.

The NFU has written to the Prime Minister calling for the government to continue its balanced approach to trade and to protect UK standards as trade negotiations progress with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

The GCC currently imports approximately 85% of its food requirements. This presents opportunities for British farmers, particularly for products such as dairy, lamb and oats.

Health and welfare

But there have been reports that the deal could include uncapped access to the UK’s poultry market for chicken meat. While reports suggest imports would have to meet UK hygiene standards, this rule wouldn’t extend to animal welfare.

Mr Bradshaw said GCC standards fell well short of those expected in the UK poultry sector. The government should stand by pledges made by Sir Keir to protect Britain’s high production standards.

“Balanced and mutually beneficial trade deals can provide a real economic boost, including for farm businesses,” said Mr Bradshaw. “A modern trade deal with the GCC, if fair and balanced, could offer huge potential for agricultural exporters.

Market access

As always, striking the right balance would depend on the government upholding its commitments to deny greater market access for food imports which have been produced in ways that are illegal here.

This would undermine Britain’s reputation for high animal welfare standards that our producers deliver, and consumers value and rightly expec, said Mr Bradshaw.

“Our poultry sector produces to some of the highest standards in the world. This is vastly different to the GCC trading bloc which only seems to have basic welfare provisions, which fall well short of the robust  legislation in place in the UK.

“It’s vital the government takes the same balanced approach it took with the recent India and US trade agreements. This is the next test to see if the government will stand strong and protect the standards our country demands and values.”

Banned pork products taken off sale

Eurostar has withdrawn pork products from duty free sales at Brussels after a biosecurity warning from the National Pig Association.

The NPA called for government action after it emerged that Eurostar passengers in Brus-sels were being encouraged to purchase banned pork products at duty free before head-ing off to the UK.

It followed a tightening of rules on personal imports in response to the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Europe. This made it illegal to bring in any foods like cured meats, cheese, and milk into Britain from the EU.

Banned products

But a wide selection of banned Belgian pork products remained on sale beyond pass-port control at Brussels Midi station in a shop exclusively accessible to people traveling to London.

The NPA has long called for the government to tighten up and enforce its national biose-curity. NPA policy adviser Katie Jarvis said: “Clearly, news of these controls, which have been in place for some time, has not been received and understood.”

A UK government spokesperson said: “We are working closely with Border Force, ports, airports and international travel operators, to increase awareness of the new re-strictions including via prominent signs.”

The NPA has continually stressed the point to government that the relatively small extra costs involved to bolster UK national disease defences would pale into insignificance against the cost of a notifiable disease outbreak.