October 23, 2019

  

US poultry sector makes more political donations, calls for UK to end 'unfair' trade barriers

 

 

In 2016, the US poultry industry had made US$19,296,326 in political contributions, with more than US$30 million spent in the period leading to the 2020 US presidential election, data by US-based research organisation Open Secrets showed.

 

The donation amount is more than three times bigger than donations made by the sector in past presidential election cycles.

 

These donations from the US poultry industry have spiked following the UK's vote for Brexit. Lobbyists have since pushed US President Donald Trump to get the United Kingdom to scale down food regulations in order to secure a post-Brexit trade agreement. They also demand for an end to what they see as "protectionism" in the UK.

  

Due to EU rules, the UK cannot import chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef which US companies intend to export to the country.

 

Negotiating objectives of the US Trade Representative called for the removal of "unwarranted" non-tariff obstacles to US agricultural products in a post-Brexit US-UK free trade deal.

 

If currently prohibited US food products are permitted for export, their entry into the UK could compromise post-Brexit food standards, leading to a drop in food hygiene, opponents of the UK government told Business Insider.

 

A spokesperson for the National Chicken Council, based in Washington, said the US poultry industry "would welcome the opportunity to compete in the UK market," adding that "unfortunately, this issue isn't about poultry – it's always been about politics and protectionism."

 

The American Farm Bureau Federation said in a statement: "The issue of 'chlorine-chicken' from the US is often brought up in Britain as a reason against having a US-UK agreement, but there's no reason this has to be a show stopper.

 

"In the end, we want science-based measures that do not block trade. Food-safety standards and biotechnology measures should improve agricultural and food trade rather than function as a form of protectionism."

 

Richard Griffiths, chief executive of the British Poultry Council, said: "If food produced to lower standards is allowed to enter the British market, it will create a two-tier food system, in which only the affluent can afford to eat British food grown to British standards.

 

"We're determined to carry on putting food on every table and ensuring British food remain accessible and affordable for all. That is why we're calling for a Government-wide commitment that production standards of imported food will have to meet British standards as a condition of entry."

 

UK negotiators involved in the country's divorce from the EU intend to abandon some EU rules, particularly those concerning food, according to an Independent report.

 

Moreover, a government document obtained by The Financial Times warned that striking a free trade deal with the US would "severely limit" the UK's ability to negotiate a comprehensive post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

 

Bill Esterson, the Labour Party's Shadow Minister for Business and International Trade, warned that a policy that focuses on "the interest of the US poultry industry" could be implemented "at the expense of our industry and our consumers."

 

Chuka Umunna, Liberal Democrat foreign affairs spokesperson, said: "We have already heard this week how Tory ministers are willing to get rid of our food safety standards as they desperately try to replace the trade we have with the world's largest trading bloc – the EU – for a deal with Donald Trump.

 

"This serves to show that the risk the US will to try and take advantage of our weakened position if we leave the EU is high."

 

A government spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister said that the country has "no plans" to cut back on British standards.

 

- Business Insider