Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael (pictured), has called for the creation of a Food Standards Commission in light of reports that food produced to a lower standard could be brought in from the United States under a future trade deal, undercutting UK farmers and crofters.
Ministers have previously denied that โchlorinated chickenโ and other low-cost foods could be allowed in a new trade deal, but press reports on Thursday suggested that the government plans to open up the UK market under a โdual tariffโ scheme.
A Food Standards Commission, also supported by the NFUS, would ensure that all of the food we eat, either at home, in our schools, our hospitals, and in cafes and restaurants when they re-open, is produced to the same standards of food safety, animal welfare and environmental protection.
Mr Carmichael said:
โWe need a Food Standards Commission now, to ensure that the government cannot undermine our farmers and crofters through underhand policy changes.
โWe are rightly proud in the Northern Isles of having some of the highest standards of produce in the world.
โFarmers and consumers alike deserve peace of mind about fair standards and fair prices for the food we produce and eat.
โI am astonished that the government has leapt directly from denying earlier this year that lower food standards would be permitted to defending this policy turn wholeheartedly.
โUndercutting farmers and crofters is not what was promised about the โbrave new worldโ of future trade deals.
โIt is concerning that the government seems more interested in carrying water for Donald Trump and his โAmerica Firstโ mentality than in supporting our farmers.
โThe government should be accountable to the people they represent, not the whims of US negotiators.โ
Speaking in the House earlier in the week, Mr Carmichael highlighted the potential impact to farmers and crofters in the Northern Isles:
โI would like to hear what the Governmentโs response is to press reports today that the Government are set to open British markets to food products produced to lower US standards as part of the trade deal with Donald Trump.
โThis was the rhetoric we were given by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster: he told us that there would never be chlorinated chicken on our plate.
โNow, in fact, we hear that as a consequence of the so-called dual tariff process it is quite possible that we will see such products being imported to this country.
โIn fact, we are told that the Secretary of State for International Trade is arguing that these tariffs should be reduced to zero over 10 years, giving farmers time to adjust to the new โnormalโ.
โFor the farmers and crofters in my constituency, it will be a hard reality for them to survive in.
โBecause we are a long distance from the market, we have not gone for mass-produced food.
โWe have sought to improve the quality of the products we have and put into market with a view to export.
โTariffs on those export markets will be absolutely fatal to the agricultural interests of the highlands and islands.โ