Labour will today demand Boris Johnson guarantees in law that his government won’t roll back animal welfare standards in pursuit of a trade deal with Donald Trump.
Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Luke Pollard warned that the Agriculture Bill could result in chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef being sold in the UK after Brexit.
An influx of food produced to lower animal welfare and environmental standards could undercut British farms and producers.
Labour will today refuse to give the bill its support when it faces its final Commons hurdle, unless it includes legal guarantees standards will not be undercut in a post-Brexit trade deal.
Mr Pollard said: “We won’t accept chlorinated chicken in our supermarkets or Boris Johnson selling out our animal welfare, food and environmental protections in a bid for a trade deal with Donald Trump.
“Promises that Ministers have made to maintain standards aren’t worth a penny until they are written into law, and unless they do so surely we must conclude that they intend to break these promises during trade talks with the USA.
“Labour will defend our environment, animal welfare and food standards, protect British consumers and stand up for Britain’s farmers so they are not undercut by food produced to lower standards in the USA”.
Labour MPs will take their stand by submitting a ‘reasoned amendment’ to the Agriculture bill when it reaches its second reading in the commons today.
While chlorine-treated chicken is safe to eat, it enables producers to reduce animal welfare and hygiene standards, cutting costs by keeping chickens in poorer conditions than currently expected in the UK.
The Government has repeatedly insisted animal welfare standards would not be lowered after Brexit.
And Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has said the UK will "not be importing chlorinated chicken".
But US Ambassador Woody Johnson said last week that British farmers should "embrace" chlorine-washed meat.
He argued "antimicrobial washes" are the most effective and economical way to fight food-borne illness.
He said: "Millions of Britons visit America every year and I would wager most eat chicken while there. Ask them and I am sure they will tell you that American agricultural products are safe, nutritious and delicious".
