While politics in the UK is currently focused on the travelling done by the Prime Minister’s special advisor Dominic Cummings during lockdown, British and indeed Irish farmers will be keeping an eye on how another difference of opinion in the government develops.

Speaking in a radio interview this week, former DEFRA minister who had responsibility for agriculture in the UK, Theresa Villiers spoke of her opposition to any compromise in standards in the pursuit of a trade deal with the US. She believes that the US feedlot system of beef production threatens UK livestock and urged caution in pursuing a trade deal.

It has also widely reported in the press that there is a divergence of opinion developing in Boris Johnson’s cabinet between ministers over the compromises demanded by the US in any potential deal.

Post-Brexit reality

This is of course the reality of international trade negotiations and the US has been very clear in its demand that the UK accept US production standards which includes beef from hormone-treated cattle and chlorine-washed chicken.

American farmer representatives have warned the US government against accepting anything less and this was the issue that blocked trade talks with the EU (TTIP) prior to President Trump pulling out of them when he came into office.

Access for agricultural produce is what makes the UK an attractive trade partner for countries that are major exporters of agricultural produce. As well as the USA, these also include Commonwealth members such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, plus the Mercosur countries in South America. The UK is a net importer of agricultural produce and giving generous access is less of a problem there than it is for the EU. However any access to lower cost regions is also a threat to existing agricultural producers in the UK, hence the opposition and desire to retain all EU standards by the National Farmers Union and like-minded members of Parliament.

Impact on EU-UK trade

Ireland and the EU are more than spectators in this debate. Most exposed are Irish farmers for whom the UK is the main export market – five times greater than our home market for beef as an example. Any devaluation of the UK market will be experienced first and foremost by Irish exporters.

There is also the question of the Irish protocol and checks regarding produce travelling from Britain to Northern Ireland. If the UK and EU standards were to continue eing aligned, it would minimise the need for checks at the single market border for goods and agricultural produce. Comprehensive free trade deals like the CETA agreement between the EU and Canada provide for a very light touch inspection system, though not completely free. If there is major divergence between EU and UK standards, ie. the UK adopting the US standard, then we can expect intensified checking on produce entering Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK

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Brexit's economic impact hasn't gone away

Former Defra minister warns against US trade deal