Brexit: Environment Secretary refuses to rule out importing chlorinated chicken from US

23 February 2020, 17:17 | Updated: 23 February 2020, 17:21

George Eustice has ruled out importing chlorinated chicken from the US
George Eustice has ruled out importing chlorinated chicken from the US. Picture: PA

Environment Secretary George Eustice has refused to rule out importing chlorinated chicken from the US in a post-Brexit trade deal.

Mr Eustice also suggested hormone-treated beef could be imported from America amid animal welfare and environmental fears.

His predecessor Theresa Villiers previously insisted the controversial meats would not be on the table in a post-Brexit trade deal.

However, the current environment secretary would not rule out the possibility when quizzed three times on the subject, despite saying there were "no plans" to change the current law.

He told Sky's Sophy Ridge On Sunday that the government would not "take risks" on standards of welfare, as it prepares to publish its negotiating position for a free trade deal with Washington in the coming two weeks.

Chlorinated chicken has proven to be controversial in a US trade deal
Chlorinated chicken has proven to be controversial in a US trade deal. Picture: PA

Mr Eustice said "lactic acid washes" are now more commonly used in the US than chlorine, however fears over animal welfare will likely remain due to the treatment the animals endure.

"What I'm saying is we won't make any moves on our standards, we've got a clear position in this country that it is illegal to sell chlorine-washed chicken, illegal to sell beef treated with hormones, we have no plans to change those things," he added.

Ms Villiers, speaking before a cabinet reshuffle in January, stated that EU laws banning the controversial foodstuffs would be implemented in the UK.

"There are legal barriers to their import and those are going to stay in place," she said.

Theresa Villiers had previously ruled out the idea of importing chlorinated chicken
Theresa Villiers had previously ruled out the idea of importing chlorinated chicken. Picture: PA

Labour's shadow environment secretary Luke Pollard called for the Tories to introduce a ban on trade deals that would lower welfare and environmental standards.

"Chlorinated chicken being sold in Britain is a genuine risk, unless this backdoor to lower standard US goods imports is closed and a ban is put into law," he said.

Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrats' food and rural affairs spokesman, accused the Conservatives of having backed down on their commitment.

"Farming communities up and down the country are rightly concerned about being undercut by low-standard imports from the US," he said.

"With the Tories' desperation for a trade deal with Donald Trump, it would appear they are rolling back on their promises. They are wilfully threatening British consumers and farmers."

Elsewhere, George Eustice defended Boris Johnson's and Priti Patel's new immigration system, after businesses raised fears of a shortage of workers.

The government plans to cut the number of low-skilled people entering the UK, but businesses have said it will choke off their supply of staff.

Mr Eustice, who used to run a strawberry farm, stressed a seasonal agricultural workers scheme will be an "important part of immigration policy in the future".

He said there would be an initial quadrupling of the size of the scheme to 10,000 this year, but this still falls short of National Farmers' Union calls for 70,000.

Mr Eustice added that ministers would be working out a "fully-fledged" programme for the future.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Sgt Graham Saville, 46, who worked for Nottinghamshire Police, was fatally injured on the line in Balderton.

Cop uncle of Premier League star died after being hit by train while trying to save man on tracks

Experts have raised concerns after a new study found that 17 per cent of Brits admitted they don't bother washing their greens before eating them

Deadly bacteria found on popular salad leaves – experts warn Brits to rethink this common habit

Ian "H" Watkin from the "Steps" band.

Steps star says it is ‘mindblowing’ that Coachella forced his small Welsh festival to change its name

William Jonzi, 24, reportedly followed a paying customer through the international airport's e-gates and attempted to board the flight with no documents last Wednesday morning

Man wrestled off TUI flight at Gatwick after breaching security and boarding without documents

According to documents filed for the federal criminal case, officers found at least 14 unused Molotov cocktails in Soliman's possession when they arrested him.

Colorado firebomb attack was year in the making, FBI says, as suspect faces terror and hate crime charges

In the years leading up to the attack, Robert Price, 76, had been the target of a prolonged campaign of harassment and criminal damage, the Old Bailey was told.

Teenagers jailed for manslaughter after firework attack which killed widower in his own home

Cameron Norrie of Great Britain plays a forehand against Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

Cameron Norrie out of French Open after convincing defeat to Novak Djokovic

Exclusive
Lord George Robertson has warned the enemy is already at our door

'Our enemies are at our door', warns Lord Robertson as government unveils Strategic Defence Review

Households across the UK can claim up to £300 this June in payments to help with essential costs amid the cost of living crisis.

UK households to get £300 summer cost of living payment from this month

Britain's Jack Draper reacts as he plays against Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik

Jack Draper knocked out of the French Open by Alexander Bublik

Holocaust survivor among victims in Colorado as man charged with murder after 'petrol bomb' attack at pro-Israel rally

Holocaust survivor among victims in Colorado as man charged with murder after 'petrol bomb' attack at pro-Israel rally

Jodey Whiting, 42, was found dead in 2017 just two weeks after her Employment Support Allowance (ESA) was cut.

Disabled mum-of-nine killed herself because her benefits were incorrectly cut, inquest finds

Arrivals at the UK Border at Heathrow Terminal 3

The UK airports that allow you to keep liquids in bags through security

AI, drones and missile defence investment part of UK new defence plans

Healey pledges to 'create British Army that is 10 times more lethal' as full details of defence review emerge

Rose West

Rose West has new grandchild after son welcomes baby with former model

Exclusive
The Prime Minister's promising a major overhaul of the UK's armed forces to defend against a new era of threat.

Britain’s war-fighting wake-up call: Defence review must be a start, not a slogan, warns military expert