A House of Lords Committee has produced a report on animal welfare after Brexit (HERE) which raises concerns about reducing the high standards that we have at present as members of the EU. It is very comprehensive with clickable links to the written evidence provided by various bodies representing all the many different sectors in livestock farming and food processing.
"As the government presses ahead on negotiating bilateral Free Trade Agreements with other (non-EU) countries, it could be tempted to allow imports of cheap products, produced to lower standards than our own, in an effort to keep a lid on food price inflation as a result of the lower value of sterling. If these imports were to come from non- EU countries, the worry is that as none of those who currently supply the bulk of imports to the EU have any legislation on laying hen welfare and produce eggs from conventional cages, this could lead to imports of egg products produced in conventional cages.
"The government should therefore be aware that legislating further would increase the cost of production at home. Furthermore, it could risk undermining our market and consumers by allowing imports produced to lower standards".
Personally I don't believe there is a health risk from eating chlorinated chicken which is routinely consumed in the USA. My difficulty is in the reasons that chlorine washing is necessary. US welfare and hygiene standards are so low that chickens from these mass produced sources are treated very badly and when finally put out of their misery, the carcasses are considered dangerous unless washed in chlorine. Is this what British consumers want?
In addition the BBC say this report also concludes 90% of slaughterhouse vets are EU nationals (HERE).
In addition the BBC say this report also concludes 90% of slaughterhouse vets are EU nationals (HERE).
