A leading agricultural firm says the Government’s discussions with Australia over zero-tariff free trade deals raises questions about its views on the future of farming in the UK.
Following Brexit, the Government is keen to strike trade deals with other countries but there are concerns that such a deal with Australia would undermine the high standards of production, welfare and provenance that British farmers are governed by.
Scott Donaldson, managing director of Harrison & Hetherington, said: “The potential Australian trade deal raises many questions about the Government’s view of the future of farming in the UK, and more specifically livestock production.
“If we are to accept, without tariff, beef and lamb from Australia, shipped or flown from the other side of the planet, are we not contradicting every GB policy written concerning climate change?
“A trade deal of this kind would come at a huge environmental cost, adding thousands of food miles onto a product that is readily available and can be sourced locally.
“Our livestock is reared to the very highest animal welfare standards and the highest production standards, in a country with a climate made for growing grass.
“Therefore, it must be made perfectly clear to those making the decisions that we absolutely cannot afford to have our top-quality produce undermined by potentially cheaper imports from the other side of the world.
“If we are to accept any global competition to land product on our shores, the playing field has to be level. Imports must be reared and grown under the same rigorous production and animal welfare standards that British farmers have to adhere to.
“As things stand currently, Australian beef and lamb do not pose a great threat to our red meat industry with negligible quantities landing in the last 12 months.
“So, the volume is not big, but this is the thin end of the wedge and if we open the flood gates to Australian beef and lamb, what could be next?
“The British family farm, the backbone of our industry, deserves more consideration when these trade deals are being hatched, and should not be thrown under the bus at the whim of our politicians desire to keep food inflation under control.”
And South Lakes MP Tim Farron says an Australian trade deal showed that the Government was set to ‘throw farmers under a bus’.
Tim is tabling a written Parliamentary Question to ask International Trade Secretary Liz Truss to appear before the House of Commons to allow MPs to scrutinise the trade deal before it gets signed off.
Mr Farron, who represents Westmorland and Lonsdale, said: “It is an act of utter cowardice for the Government to only let MPs scrutinise the Australia trade deal after it has been signed and shows the complete contempt they have for British farmers.
“The Conservative Government are so weak and desperate to get a trade deal that they are prepared to sell out British farming and now they’re running scared of the farmers who they have chucked under a bus.
“This trade deal will be a historic betrayal of British farming and will set a dangerous precedent – if Australian farmers are given the green light to undercut British farmers then it’s likely the Government will allow Canadian, New Zealand and American farmers to do the same.
“It’s not too late for the Government to grow a backbone and stand up for British farmers and Britain’s world-leading animal welfare and environmental standards.”
