The Future British Standards Coalition, chaired by Sustain, challenges government to protect British food standards in law.
Over the past few months the UK government has emphasised the opportunities of striking new trade deals around the world, particularly with countries such as Australia and the United States where food standards are lower. It has done this while resisting calls to commit in law not to import food below UK standards – claiming that such safeguards are unnecessary.
As a group of organisations representing a range of public interests, the Future British Standards Coalition has been convened to scrutinise the UK government’s approach to food standards. The Future British Standards Coalition includes public health, animal welfare and farming groups, as well as trade academics and Conservative and crossbench peers.The coalition's interim report is published today (12th October 2020) to coincide with the UK Agriculture Bill returning to parliament for its final stages.
Chair of the coalition Kath Dalmeny (also chief executive of Sustain), said:
"The Conservative Party promised in its 2019 election manifesto that in all trade negotiations, they would not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards. That promise is looking feeble in the face of heavy pressure from the US and Australia to weaken standards. Time is now running out. The Government must write British food standards into law, in the Agriculture Bill being finalised in parliament this week. They must also establish a strong food and agriculture standards commission that can prevent trade negotiators using British food standards carelessly as a bargaining chip."
Download the Future British Standards Coalition interim report here.
The report considers some of the opportunities and risks, and makes two recommendations for the Agriculture Bill:
Tell your MP you want them to save your food standards
The UK Agriculture Bill is back in the House of Commons in October so we need you to take action NOW.
Good Food Trade Campaign: Campaigning for good trade that benefits people and the planet at home and overseas.
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