November 2, 2020

UK ministers pledge not to import chlorinated chicken or hormone-fed beef from the US

The British government have pledged not to allow the import of chlorinated chicken or hormone-fed beef from the United States as part of a future trade deal, The Guardian reported.

Liz Truss, the UK International Trade Secretary, as well as George Eustice, the UK Environment Minister, provided a clear commitment to maintain the ban of US chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef.

They also said the government will make the trade and agriculture commission a statutory body to give independent advice on trade deals as they pass through parliament.

The commission, which includes the National Farmers' Union and the Food and Drink Federation, have been tasked to create an independent report on animal welfare and agriculture's impact in every free trade deal the British government signs post-Brexit.

Woody Johnson, the US ambassador to the UK, said chlorine washes are the most effective and economical way to combat food-borne illnesses, adding that misleading terms like  chlorinated chicken and hormone beef give negative connotations to US farming.

-      The Guardian