In this submission we consider the impact of trade policy on the food and farming sectors. This includes food prices, exports, labour needs, pesticide standards, antibiotic policy and supply chains. We also outline the need for core standards, a strategy for trade policy and the need for greater parliamentary scrutiny over trade deals.
Farmers and food producers are reporting difficulties with exporting to the EU due to increased paperwork, reduced payments as the Common Agricultural Policy payments are phased out and fears of increased (unfair) competition from Australia and New Zealand, thanks to new trade deals.
Since 28 January 2022, the UK’s regulations on farm antibiotic use are different and weaker on a number of points to the EU’s. New EU legislation, which was agreed in 2018 when the UK was an EU member, prohibits all forms of routine antibiotic use in farming, including preventative group treatments, administering antibiotics to compensate for poor husbandry.
Sustain and PAN UK have produced a series of reports outlining the difference in pesticide standards between the UK and a number of potential future trading partners called Toxic Trade. The reports highlight the possible risk from trade deals to UK pesticide standards.
Regarding supply chains, Sustain believes the UK Government must put the new supply chain statutory codes of practice into place, as set out in the Agriculture Act (2020). These regulations would help to tackle some of the unfair and bad trading practices that intermediaries use on primary producers. Furthermore, the UK Government needs to retain the Groceries Code Adjudicator as an independent regulator and not amalgamate it into the Common Markets Authority. Thirdly, the Government must catalyse investment in the food system to create more and better routes to market for producers.
Sustain alliance continues to advocate for a trade strategy, proper parliamentary scrutiny and core food and farming standards.
Published Thursday 16 February 2023
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
