Latest news with #SaveBritishFarming
Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Times
From chicken to potatoes, Britain's never grown less of its own food
Last month, a campaign group called Save British Farming organised a small protest in Westminster featuring vintage tractors and banners that declared: 'Ration books are coming.' The idea that Britain could run out of food and need rationing seems alarmist, and more appropriate, perhaps, for VE Day. But some experts say Britain's food system is starting to look precarious and the days when you could walk into a supermarket and expect to find pretty much any fruit, vegetable, meat or dairy item on any day of the year will soon be at an end. 'The party's over — that's gone. We're in a new era now,' said Tim Lang, professor emeritus of food policy at City, University of London and the man who coined
BBC News
13-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The Berkshire farm where it is always a perfect summer's day
With climate change making life increasingly difficult for some farmers, and rising political tensions around the world often disrupting the food supply chain, a Berkshire company is looking at how we can become more Innovation Agritech Group is growing crops indoors 365 days a to grow in the British climate, basil, coriander and lettuce leaves are being nurtured on a series of 16ft by 16ft (5m by 5m) vertical this is not, but, at IAG's indoor farm in Bracknell, the agricultural technology company is looking at providing herbs and foods in the UK all year round. Farmers fear what a prolonged dry spell will mean for harvests later this year. Last year, England suffered its second worst on not looking after her 300 cattle on her farm near Swindon, Wiltshire, Liz Webster heads up the Save British Farming campaign group. She said the changing climate is a huge challenge to her policies in recent years have prioritised the environment over food production, she said, adding: "We have exposed ourselves to a huge deluge of imports, which is destroying our home production and that's plainly ludicrous." Experts such as the University of Reading's Prof Richard Tiffin have said while the UK does import huge quantities of fruit and vegetables, it is more self-sufficient than most, at least when it comes to the basics. The director of science said it was a different story when it comes to soft fruits and more exotic vegetables."We're about 75% self-sufficient when it comes to things we can produce domestically. In fruit, we're probably around 15% self-sufficient," he said."However, the last thing you want is to be 100% self-sufficient. Not only is it extremely difficult to achieve but that also means you're at the behest of the weather in your own country." He said we could take a leaf from the Netherlands' book. The Dutch are masters of growing the most fragile of fruits and herbs indoors, in tightly controlled environments, he said."They're a relatively small land country and it's undoubtedly the case the government has invested heavily in some of these indoor production facilities and we're probably behind that," said Prof Tiffin."They're a role model we should be following." In Bracknell, IAG is taking the weather and climate change out of the equation, creating an indoor farm where every day is a perfect summer's dayThe lighting system mimics the rise and fall of the sun, with the light each plant gets tweaked to suit the species' individual preference. IAG's commercial director Dean Barron said plants in most indoor farms sit in water trays using a system called hydroponicsBut IAG is planting individual seedlings in coir plugs, where minimal water is said: "We use a system called aeroponics because we believe that getting oxygen to the roots is a lot better than having it stood in water."The system uses 95% less water than standard agriculture and 30-35% less than hydroponic processes, said Mr Barron. Growing everything this way means they are also immune from outside events like the war in Ukraine or the flash floods which hit parts of Spain last autumn, destroying thousands of hectares of fruit and vegetables."We can grow in here 365 days a year. Border closures don't then come into play so we won't have to rely on imports that way either, whether that be by sea, air or whatever.," Mr Barron said. Indoor farming is just one of the solutions being looked at to make our food sector more there is one big problem - power like IAG's hoover up large amounts of is suggesting we should be aiming to produce everything indoors but Prof Tiffin said we could do much worse than follow the lead of the country better known for tulips, windmills and clogs.
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
What is chlorinated chicken and will it be sold in the UK after Trump trade deal?
The government has insisted Britain's food standards would not be compromised after the UK and the US agreed on a trade deal to eliminate a series of tariffs. Agriculture is a key part of the new trade deal announced on Thursday by Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump. Tariffs have been reduced on US products, including beef and ethanol, in return for moves that help British cars and steel. After the deal was announced, government sources insisted imports of hormone-treated beef or chlorinated chicken, previously described as red lines for the UK in any agreement, would remain illegal. The agreement on beef provides a tariff-free quota for 13,000 tonnes of US exports, but the government said there would be no drop in food standards as a result of the deal. It also includes access to British beef exports to the US. Chlorine -washed chicken – a controversial method of cleaning farmed animals to kill bacteria – was a major product being touted as part of the deal. While evidence suggests the chlorine wash itself is not harmful, critics argue treating chicken with the chemical will allow for poorer hygiene earlier on in the production process. However, Liz Webster, founder of Save British Farming, told The Independent: 'The British public is rightly appalled by chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef. We are an animal-loving nation that values high standards, and we must not trade them away.' Chlorinated chicken or chlorine -washed chicken refers to chicken carcasses that have been washed or dipped in water containing chlorine dioxide. This is done to kill organisms that could make you ill, such as E coli, campylobacter and Salmonella. Is it bad for me? If you ate a large amount of chlorinated chicken – the equivalent to 5 per cent of your body weight in one day –you could potentially be exposed to harmful levels of the chemical compound known as chlorate, according to the European Commission. 'Long-term exposure to chlorate in food, particularly in drinking water, is a potential health concern for children, especially those with mild or moderate iodine deficiency,' according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). A high intake of chlorate on a single day could be toxic for humans as it can limit the blood's ability to absorb oxygen, leading to kidney failure, while chronic exposure to chlorate can inhibit iodine uptake. However, there is no proof that eating chlorinated chicken would put health at risk. The EFSA has said that chemical substances in poultry meat are unlikely to pose an immediate or acute health risk for consumers. Is it cleaner than non-chlorinated chicken? A 2014 report by US non-profit Consumer Reports found that 97 per cent of 300 American chicken breasts tested contained harmful bacteria including Salmonella, campylobacter and Around half of the chicken breasts tested also contained at least one type of bacteria that was resistant to three or more antibiotics. In general, you are over seven times more likely to get food poisoning in the US than in the UK, according to data from the UK's Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Moreover, a 2018 study from the University of Southampton found chlorine-washing was not totally effective in killing pathogens on fresh vegetables. The research also suggested that chlorinating foods "can make foodborne pathogens undetectable", rather than eliminating them. Why aren't British farmers allowed to use this technique? Chlorinated chicken was first banned by the EU in 1997. The EU stipulates that chicken can only be washed in water or substances explicitly approved by the European Commission. Those who are against chlorine washing claim that, rather than the chlorine itself being the problem, it's what the chlorine is hiding. Treating the carcasses this way can enable lower standards of hygiene and animal welfare – farmers can rely on chemicals to kill off harmful bacteria at the end of the process, rather than maintaining high standards at every stage. However, Ken Isley from the US Department of Agriculture, said: 'I think the concerns and fear are unfounded. I would stack US food safety and our food safety record against anywhere in the world.' How can I tell if chicken has been chlorinated? In the US, chickens are not labelled as having been washed in chlorine. Some of those lobbying for the UK to accept US imports of chlorine-washed chicken have argued that it should be up to consumers to decide, as long as it's clearly labelled. However, according to Sustain, an organisation that campaigns for better food and farming, there is currently 'no requirement for food producers to inform UK consumers about whether or not chlorine was used, neither are restaurants nor caterers required to say where their meat is from.' Unless the limitations of current UK food labelling legislation are addressed, it is hard to see how British consumers would know whether their chicken had been treated with chlorinated water. The US also regards specific labelling of country of origin as an illegitimate barrier to its exports and pushes to have the practice banned as part of trade agreements it signs with other countries. Is chlorinated chicken part of a trade deal with the US? Chlorinated chicken was not included in the trade deal announced by Sir Keir and Mr Trump on Thursday. Farming leaders welcomed the government's efforts to maintain high standards and secure reciprocal access for beef but raised concerns about the inclusion of bioethanol, a fuel made from crops, in the deal. According to the most recent significant polling on the subject, which was carried out in 2020, 80 per cent of the British public are against allowing imports of chlorinated chicken, and the same percentage are against permitting chicken products that have been raised with hormones. Following pressure from the British public, former prime ministers Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak were compelled to rule out compromises on hormone-fed beef and chlorinated chicken in future trade deal negotiations with the US.
Telegraph
09-05-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Starmer's US trade deal ‘will flood market with substandard beef'
Britain's trade deal with the US will flood the market with substandard beef, farming campaigners have warned. The UK and US will cut taxes on beef imports and exports as part of the agreement announced on Thursday. Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary, has insisted there will be no watering down of food standards, with imports of hormone-treated beef or chlorinated chicken remaining illegal. But Liz Webster, the founder of the group Save British Farming, claimed low-quality beef could still enter the UK because the country's borders are not strong enough to keep it out. 'It's all very well from packaging up the details and saying, 'Oh, it's fine we will only give you the good stuff.' There is no mechanism to ensure that that happens,' she said. 'We've already got a lot of substandard food coming in here, because our borders are as good as a chocolate teapot, and there is no mechanism in America to filter out produce.' Tom Bradshaw, the president of the National Farmers Union, stressed the importance of strong standards on American food imports. 'In any trade deal with the US, ministers must uphold their commitments and ensure that food that would be illegal to produce here from a food safety, animal welfare or environmental perspective is not granted access to our market,' he said on Wednesday, before the deal was announced. After its announcement, he praised the Government for maintaining high food standards and securing access to the US market for British beef farmers. He said: 'We appreciate the Government's efforts in listening to our concerns, particularly around maintaining high standards, protecting sensitive agricultural sectors and securing reciprocal access for beef. 'For several years, we've campaigned with the UK's agricultural attachés in Washington for market access for British beef, a product globally respected for its quality and strong environmental credentials. 'These efforts have contributed to enabling the UK government to secure ring-fenced access for British beef exports to the US.' The deal on agriculture gives British farmers a tariff-free quota for 13,000 metric tonnes of beef exports – equivalent to 52 million steaks. US tariffs on British beef typically vary between 4 per cent and 26 per cent depending on the type and quality of cut, according to the World Trade Organisation. Britain's tariffs on American beef stand at up to 20 per cent. The UK's beef farming industry was worth an estimated £3.9 billion in 2024, while the US beef industry was valued at £81.52 billion. One beef farmer called on the Government to be stringent on food imports from America. Ian McCubbine a Surrey-based farmer, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'I think that we have to be careful that we are stringent about food standards. 'Our beef, in fact, our whole food chain is globally reckoned to be the best quality of everything. And I'm slightly concerned that the US want to put stuff into us which is going to be lower quality.' He added: 'I know I hear all the stuff that's going to be stringently looked at and stuff like that, but sometimes the devil is in the details.' He said the Government had to be 'strong' about standards, adding: 'We've spent probably the last 50 years building an industry that is strong on environmental gain, is strong on animal welfare. 'We stopped our grocery gross hormones, probably 35-40 years ago.' He added the main problem was not knowing what was being given to livestock in America. 'A Texas feedlot that's 19-miles long, how do we know what they're putting in? We just don't know. We just don't know that.' But writing for The Telegraph, Mr Reed said: 'I have always been clear: no hormone-treated beef, no chlorinated chicken. 'As promised, these products remain illegal in the UK. That will not change,' he said. 'But that isn't all. For the first time ever, this Labour Government has secured exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. 'That means there is a major opportunity to increase exports to the world's largest consumer market where our high-quality beef products are in demand. 'Only very few other countries enjoy this level of access.' On Friday, Labour's chief secretary to the Treasury insisted that the US-UK trade deal will not open the door to hormone-treated beef imports into Britain. Darren Jones said the Government's rules on food standards 'have not changed and they will not change'. He told the Today programme: 'Our food standards have been protected. They have not changed and they will not change. 'What that means of course is that companies, whether in the United States or in other parts of the world, know that because of those food production standards if they try to import hormone-treated meat, for example, that that is in breach of the law, there are checks on these products at the border and if people are in breach of the law there will be consequences for that.' No hormone-treated beef or chlorinated chicken on British soil By Steve Reed, the Environment Secretary This Government will always act in the national interest to protect British businesses and jobs across the economy. Thousands of jobs have been saved by the groundbreaking deal with the US. As the Prime Minister said, it is fitting that we took this step to deepen our ties with America 80 years after VE Day. It's the second major trade announcement in a week – after the India Free Trade Agreement on Tuesday – this historic agreement with the US has cut tariffs for some of the UK's most vital industries. UK carmakers and steelworkers will all feel the benefit, as lower tariffs translate into lower costs. The deal we signed on Thursday will also protect British farmers and uphold our high animal welfare and environmental standards. This Labour Government will always act in the national interest to protect Britain's farmers and secure our food security. The Tories sold our farmers down the river with their dodgy trade deals. As the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, I have always been clear: no hormone-treated beef, no chlorinated chicken. As promised, these products remain illegal in the UK. That will not change. Compare this approach to Nigel Farage who has threatened to betray our farmers, allowing chicken washed in chlorine and reared in the most appalling conditions to flood the UK market, which could put British producers out of business. But that isn't all. For the first time ever, this Government has secured exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. That means there is a major opportunity to increase exports to the world's largest consumer market where our high-quality beef products are in demand. Only very few other countries enjoy this level of access. All this comes alongside the India trade deal, which is a major boost for our world-class food and drink industry with lamb, salmon, whisky and gin benefiting from lower tariffs. These deals are another step on the road to a more profitable farming sector. And our support for our farmers and growers is steadfast, with £5 billion being invested into sustainable food production, and a New Deal for farmers backing British produce in the public sector too. This Government has a Plan for Change that will growth the economy, and our trade deals show are we are delivering for Britain.
Western Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Farm tax is risk to UK food security, says former foreign secretary
The former foreign secretary told reporters at a press conference at the National Liberal Club in Whitehall he feared the Government had not considered a scenario of 'moderate disruption' to food supplies, despite warning signs during the Russian-Ukraine war. Braintree MP Mr Cleverly spoke after farmers parked two vintage tractors outside the National Liberal Club on Tuesday as part of a protest by Save British Farming against the tax changes. I do worry that this Government is really blase about food and farming, because it cannot envisage a circumstance where there is even a moderate disruption of UK accessibility to core foods James Cleverly 'I do worry that this Government is really blase about food and farming, because it cannot envisage a circumstance where there is even a moderate disruption of UK accessibility to core foods, particularly carbohydrates,' Mr Cleverly said. 'If they're right, well, I'm not sure I still agree with driving farms out of business. If they're wrong, the stakes are so high it is unconscionable.' The UK is facing 'serious risks' to its food security as a result of long-term declines in the natural environment and worsening climate change, according to the latest three-yearly government report on the matter published in December. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) report also noted how geopolitical tensions have impacted the country, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine leaving the UK facing the highest food inflation in the G7, although 'sustained' food item shortages were avoided. Farmers have argued that Rachel Reeves' inheritance tax hike on agricultural properties worth more than £1 million would undermine national food security in a critical moment. Speaking to reporters, Mr Cleverly argued policymakers should treat agriculture with the same respect as they do the automotive industry and technology companies and called the Chancellor's measures 'one of the most stupid and counterproductive proposals I have ever seen'. People take part in a Save British Farming protest in London (Eric Williams/PA) 'One of the problems we've had for a number of decades is we've stopped being scared about things that we should be scared of. 'Because we haven't had food shortages in the UK in living memory, we've kind of convinced ourselves that that can never happen. 'I don't think it will happen. I don't think it's necessarily likely to happen, but it's not something that is helpful to think of as being impossible. 'We had a nasty food inflation spike when Ukrainian grain exports were disrupted, even temporarily.' Mr Cleverly warned in such a scenario, 'voters will go hungry, and then they'll get angry, and then they will turn on the government'. He added: 'It will be politically catastrophic for the Labour Party. That's the kind of thing that gets you kicked out of government, not just for one or two political cycles, but potentially permanently. 'The biggest falls come after the biggest victories,' he said, noting how the Conservative's major losses last year followed the successes the party had in 2019. A Defra spokesperson said: 'Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast. 'This Government are investing £5 billion into farming, the largest budget for sustainable food production in our country's history. 'Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Reliefs will mean three quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all, while the remaining quarter will pay half the inheritance tax that most people pay, and payments can be spread over 10 years, interest-free. This is a fair and balanced approach which helps fix the public services we all rely on.'
