Bucks MPs under fire for voting for legislation which National Farmers Union say "Would lower our food standards"

It has been described as 'the most important farming legislation in generations' and passed its third reading relatively without notice amongst the Black Lives Matter protests and Coronavirus headlines.

The UK is looking to lower their standards of food to make a trade deal with the US more attractive.

The Government has pledged not to undermine animal welfare, environmental and food standards with low-quality imports in any deal with US negotiators.

However, farmers and environmental campaigners were furious last month when a bid to enshrine the promise in law was defeated – not least because Environment Secretary George Eustice has previously described animal welfare laws in the US as 'woefully deficient'.

MPs passed the legislation’s third reading in a virtual vote – 360 – 211.

One of the conservative manifesto pledges was that "we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards,” however the House of Commons went on to vote down amendments to the new Agriculture Bill that would have protected those standards.

UK Minister will now allow US foods that do not currently meet UK standards into circulation.

There are widespread concerns amongst the UK's faming community that this will aid the U.S.’s ability to undercut U.K. farmers and the destiny of U.K. food policy after it formally exits the EU.

A petition by the NFU and backed by Jamie Oliver requesting a ban on 'low quality' food imports from the US has exceeded 750,000 signatures after a powerful plea from the celebrity chef on Instagram earlier this week.

Other high-profile names, including rugby referee Nigel Owens, and Countryfile presenter Tom Heap, have added their support.

The petition says: “Farming throughout the UK has high standards of safety and welfare with an ambition to be net zero in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.

"There are very strict controls on farming methods allowed in the UK and I expect the same of all food which is imported here so the food I eat is as safe, traceable and produced to high welfare and environmental standards.

“Before the UK begins to negotiate trade deals with countries around the world, I call on the UK government to put into law rules that prevent food being imported to the UK which is produced in ways that would be illegal here.”

Imports that are of particular concern to UK farmers and producers include chicken products, including chlorinated chicken and eggs, and hormone-injected beef.

The problem is that chlorine is part a processing method that makes up for poorer welfare standards on poultry farms that have sacrificed hygiene for increased production. And so chicken is washed with chlorine and other chemicals to kill off harmful microorganisms, such as salmonella, that may be present on carcasses.

MP for Buckingham Greg Smith was bullish in his response, and said he had 'enormous optimism' for the future of British Farming.

He said: “I have personally lobbied both Trade and Farming Ministers and am assured that the Government will not compromise on our food standards.

"Our manifesto is clear that in all of our trade negotiations, we will not compromise on our high environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards.

"The EU Withdrawal Act transfers all existing EU food safety provisions, including existing import requirements, onto the UK statute book.

“The amendments put down to the Agriculture Bill, whilst well meaning, would have undermined existing UK trading relationships.

“It is vitally important to ensure the UK has the best possible trade deals all around the globe, ensuring British farmers can prosper selling our home grown excellent produce, both domestically and to new markets overseas.

"The USA lifting its ban on British beef already opens up a market worth £66 million to British beef farmers. I am excited to see other new markets made available for the future prosperity of all our farmers."

The agriculture bill is now set to go through the House of Lords.

Neil Parish, the chair of the environment food and rural affairs committee, who put forward one of the amendments to the bill in the Commons, said he hoped the Lords would amend the bill in order to protect against substandard imports in trade deals.

Aylesbury MP Rob Butler however has rejected the suggestion that he 'voted to lower food standards', and said 'it's a complete misrepresentation'.

“I would like to make it very clear that my vote for the Agriculture Bill was not a “vote to lower food standards”; this is a complete misrepresentation.

"This bill is designed to ensure that British farmers receive the payments to which they are entitled and that a framework is set for British agriculture in the coming years, following our withdrawal from the European Union and the Common Agricultural Policy."

Rob said farmers are an 'integral part of the national and local economy' and wanted to ensure they will be rewarded for their contributions.

He continued: "The Agriculture Bill will allow farmers and land managers to receive “public money for public goods”. This means that we can reward those who protect our environment, improve animal welfare and produce high quality food in a more sustainable way.

“This bill is about agriculture, rather than trade, however, I must stress that the Government have been very clear that they will not compromise on food standards, animal welfare or

our high environmental protection in pursuit of any trade deals. I personally had discussions with the farming minister to be absolutely sure that this is the case. All food coming into the

country will continue to be required to meet existing import requirements and, at the end of the transition period, all EU standards will be converted into domestic law.

"This includes a ban on the use of artificial growth hormones in both domestic production and imported products. It also remains the case that no products, other than potable water, are approved in the UK to clean chicken carcasses.

"The UK’s independent Food Standards Agency will continue to oversee UK food standards, for both domestic production and imports. Any changes to existing legislative standards would require new legislation to be brought before Parliament.

“I have seen first-hand the excellent work being done by local farmers to improve our natural environment, as well as produce high quality food. I therefore support this bill that

will reward that hard work and encourage further innovation, supporting those in the agriculture sector, and maintaining high food standards for generations to come.”

A government spokesperson has said: “We have been clear that in all of our trade negotiations – including with the US in our first round of negotiations – that we will not undermine our high domestic environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards by ensuring in any agreement British farmers are always able to compete.”