Dear John,

The government has made a significant U-turn on food standards.

Thanks to campaigns like the Affordable Food Deal and its partners, parliament will have scrutiny of the food we import in any future trade deals.

Last time, the government rejected this Lords’ amendments. But now Liz Truss has relented. A panel of experts and farmers will check any food we import meets high British standards.

This is an important step forward. But our work is far from over. Parliament can delay and review trade deals, but not stop them. As always, the surest guarantee of British standards is to trade with an ally who shares them.

We still urgently need a deal with Europe. We have maybe a few weeks left. Without one, pressure accept chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef as the price of a US trade deal will mount, regardless of parliamentary scrutiny. And staple foods will be slapped with high tariffs, just as the UK experiences a cost-of-living crisis and a second lockdown.

Write to your MP and ask them to use their influence to reach a deal. Send our newest no-deal assessment report to your MP. Make sure they realise the true cost of a no deal exit. Send your message now. 

This government U-turn is welcome news for British farmers and British food. But if the government is serious about guaranteeing our food and animal welfare standards, they should enshrine these protections in law.

And if they are serious about protecting British farming, they must give the industry clarity and consistency. Scottish potato farmers are in turmoil, as they still do not have assurance they can sell to Northern Ireland after the end of this year.

Free and frictionless trade with Europe will guarantee the UK healthy and affordable food. It will ensure our food we need from Europe is not taxed, and British produce is not slapped with high export fees.

That’s why we need an Affordable Food Deal with the Europe, which reenforces our standards and keeps food prices down. Write to your MP today and urge them to reach a deal.

The Affordable Food Deal has partnered with importers, activists and farmers to achieve this this important victory for food standards. 

But we need better guarantees than government promises. We need a comprehensive agreement with an ally who will uphold our standards consistently.

Best wishes, 

Laura Savage, 
Campaigns Officer