Petition urging UK Government not to give in to Donald Trump and drop our high animal welfare and food production standards in exchange for a trade deal
Devon and Cornwall Liberal Democrats have launched a petition urging the UK Government not to give in to pressure from Donald Trump to drop our high animal welfare and food production standards in exchange for a trade deal.
We believe we should be cutting food miles and supporting our local farmers, not threatening their livelihoods.
Currently the UK has some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world, but if the UK gives in to Trump's demands it would allow practices currently banned in the UK including:
- Producing eggs from hens kept in battery cages
- Chlorine washing of chicken
- Treating cattle and pigs with growth hormones
It would also mean:
- British farmers having to compete against cheaper imports that have been produced to a lower welfare standard, putting many UK farmers out of business.
- The British public eating meat, eggs and dairy products produced to lower animal welfare standards than are currently allowed.
- An increase in food miles and greenhouse gases because of import distances and the intensive farming systems in the USA.
Only three of Devon's ten Tory MPs and none of the six Tory MPs in Cornwall supported a recent amendment to the UK Agriculture Bill which would have stood up to the Trump administration and guaranteed the preservation of British standards.
They have let Devon and Cornwall down badly.
Help us send a message to the government that the British public care about animal welfare standards and the quality of the food we eat.
Support British farmers - sign our petition and share it with your friends.