皇家华人

In his letter, Tom made it clear that the GCC deal is a key test of the government鈥檚 promises. He wrote: 鈥淗ygiene standards are distinct from welfare standards. 听The GCC trading bloc has general animal welfare provisions in place, but these fall well short of the standards expected of the UK poultry sector in areas such as housing requirements. 听

鈥淏ritish poultry farmers are proud to produce to some of the highest welfare and environmental standards in the world. It is unreasonable for the agricultural sector to be continually expected to make sacrifices on behalf of other sectors of the economy 鈥� the burden must be shared.鈥�

Protecting sensitive sectors

In a personal reply, Sir Keir wrote to Tom: 鈥淚 can assure you that we will always consider whether overseas produce has an unfair advantage and the impact this may have. Where necessary, we will be prepared to use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors. 听

鈥淎ny agricultural imports coming into the UK will always have to meet our high sanitary and phytosanitary standards. 听Nothing we agree with the GCC, or any other trade partner, will alter this.鈥�

Responding to the commitment from the Prime Minister, Tom said: 鈥溁始一�人will always fight to make sure the government only signs balanced and mutually beneficial trade deals. 听Following the inclusion of ethanol within the US trade deal, I sought personal assurances from the Prime Minister about the GCC deal, and he鈥檚 given them.
听
鈥淚 have been clear that the UK farming sector can shoulder no more pain on behalf of other sectors of the economy. 听While Sir Keir鈥檚 response is positive, as in every trade deal, the details agreed will be important.

鈥淕reater market access should not be given for food imports which have been produced in ways that are illegal here.听The cumulative impact of all trade deals needs to be a critical consideration.鈥�