The NFU has been engaging extensively with ministers and UK negotiators on a potential deal with the GCC since 2021.
The NFU has written to and met the Prime Minister, written to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade and met with the Minister of State for Trade, calling on them to stand firm on food production standards.
By maintaining current tariff levels on imports into the UK for chicken meat, eggs and pork, the government has upheld its commitment not to undermine the UK’s high animal welfare standards.
UK farmers also stand to benefit from the deal through increased export opportunities. There is strong demand in GCC countries for lamb, dairy products and oats, and the removal of 5% tariffs on these products from the UK will help boost exports and build farm business resilience at home.
“It will be a relief to farmers and the public that the government has held firm on its promise to safeguard Britain’s high food production standards.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
‘Government has listened to our concerns’
Responding to the news of the UK-GCC trade deal, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The trade deals agreed in recent years have been a mixed bag to say the least, with limited benefit for UK farm businesses. But I’m really pleased the government has listened to our concerns and ensured we can take advantage of the strong demand in the GCC for things like lamb, cheese and oats – securing greater access for high quality British goods while safeguarding our pork, chicken and egg sectors.
“The main area of jeopardy in this deal was around animal welfare standards, which in GCC countries often fall below our own. It will be a relief to farmers and the public that the government has held firm on its promise to safeguard Britain’s high food production standards.”
However, Tom highlighted that concerns remain about other ongoing trade negotiations and reiterated the need for government to develop a set of core production standards which all imports would be required to meet.
He said: “This was a well negotiated deal, but we’re under no illusions that other countries – whose standards may fail to meet our own – will push hard for greater access to our market. This is a real concern for both farmers and the public who understandably believe their food should be produced with animal welfare and environmental protection at its core.
“Establishing core standards as a baseline would reassure farmers and growers that the high standards they uphold won’t be undermined and give the public confidence that whatever they pick up from the supermarket or order from a restaurant has been produced in line with their values.”
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UK trade negotiations with the Gulf Cooperation Council
