Trade Secretary, Liz Truss has confirmed that the government will establish a Trade and Agriculture Commission to make recommendations on agricultural trade policy. The announcement comes after pressure from farm and vet organisations, including BCVA, who called for systems to ensure that animal welfare and British food standards are not undermined by any new international trade agreements.
“BCVA welcomes this important development,” said Nikki Hopkins, BCVA president. “We have lobbied government, along with colleagues across the veterinary and farming profession, to ensure British food standards are not undermined during the new trade deals.
“This is a promising response from the government, and what we now need to do is ensure that there is veterinary representation within that body. Farm vets need to help create the frame of reference so that animal welfare standards are at the heart of this Commission’s remit.
“More than a million people pledged their support to safeguard food standards by signing the NFU's petition urging the government to ensure future trade deals do not lead to an increase in food imports that would be illegal to produce here. BCVA is happy to stand by its colleagues on UK farms and will continue to support British farmers and press for provision of food standards in future trade talks.”
