Animal Policy International warns that the imminent UK-US trade deal may undermine the UK's animal welfare standards. While the UK government maintains food safety regulations, its lack of clarity on addressing the animal welfare gap poses a risk. Current discussions indicate a willingness to compromise, potentially eliminating tariffs on US meat products, including those produced under lower welfare standards. This strategy may create loopholes that jeopardize British farmers adhering to stricter animal welfare laws, necessitating urgent legislation to safeguard UK standards against harmful trade practices.
Focusing solely on food safety measures while ignoring animal welfare requirements widens an already dangerous loophole. British farmers who follow higher welfare standards mandated by UK law will be undermined by imports from production systems that would be illegal here.
The government has emphasized it will maintain food safety regulations, but it has not confirmed how it will address the substantial animal welfare gap between UK and US production systems.
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