In its manifesto, the government made a commitment “to promote the highest standards when it comes to food production”. Similarly, in its Trade Strategy, it recognised concerns about the unfair competitive advantages provided by different methods of production in global supply chains.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw called on the government to set up a working group, including external experts, to help identify priority core standards for food imports.
Speaking at the event, he said: “At the time of the geopolitical challenges that we see today and climate change having a real impact, it is absolutely crucial that we take control of our food system here that is responsible for feeding 70 million people day in, day out, but that also has global export opportunities because of the trusted nature of the food that we produce.
“It is absolutely crucial that we take control of our food system here that is responsible for feeding 70 million people day in, day out.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
“I think that this coalition coming together of the NFU, the RSPCA and the WWF, it is unique, but it is deliberately unique because we wanted to demonstrate how wide the support base can be for something which we know the public care about – the standards of their food production. We know that politically in the corridors, MPs and Lords care about it as well.”
Why we’re asking for core standards
Our message builds on the support of more than one million people who signed our petition to protect domestic production standards in 2020. Both consumers and farmers are concerned that the high standards we adhere to are being undermined by goods imported from countries that do not meet those same core standards.
Introducing a set of statutory core production standards would ensure these are met by both domestically produced and imported food sold in the UK.
Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington, showed his support at the reception. “Today’s event is really about showing support for the work that farmers do, but also recognising the challenges that are posed by the international markets for the industry but also for UK consumers who want high standards from the food on our shelves,” he said.
“All we want, as we are in this room, is to ensure that international competitors play by the same rules and meet the same regulatory standards.”
David Bowles, Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA, said: “What we should have is something actually in the government policy on core standards and the only that you are going to get that is for this working group to be set up and for the government to take that forward.”
Angela Francis, Director of Policy Solutions at WWF, said: “Core environmental standards will provide that baseline protection to ensure we import and export in a way that protects ecosystems and provides a level playing field for sustainable leaders.”
L-R: NFU President Tom Bradshaw, Director of Policy Solutions at WWF Angela Francis, Matt Western MP (Lab, Warwick and Leamington), Head of Public Affairs at the RSPCA David Bowles. Photograph: RSPCA
