As the idea of a no-deal Brexit comes closer to reality, the particulars of a trade-deal with the US is becoming ever more contentious with chlorine-washed chicken the focal point of debate.

The last week has seen a resurgence in debate on both sides of the Atlantic over a proposed trade deal with the US. As explored in the import & export feature in our March issue, any such deal may see the UK relinquish its hygiene and welfare standards.

For example, senior meat lobbyist Craig Thorn, Chairman of the National Pork Producers Council, told the Trump administration that the UK must adopt US food producing standards if it wants to secure a trade deal post-Brexit.

More recently, Woody Johnson, US ambassador to Britain, claimed that criticism of US agricultural standards are “smears” fabricated by people “with their own protectionist agenda”.

This includes the controversial practice of chlorine-washing chicken. At present, any poultry treated in this way is barred entry into the EU on welfare grounds.

Writing in a blog post, Richard Griffiths, Chief Executive of the British Poultry Council, said that chlorine-washed chicken “represents a diminution of our standards and the ceding of our food sovereignty and security to a foreign power”.

He wrote: “Our standards must be defended and steadily improved, but what standards often omit is that their purpose is to provide good quality food three times a day to a population of over 65 million people.”

Responding to Johnson, Minette Batters, President of the National Farming unio (NFU), said: “It comes as no surprise that the USA is seeking comprehensive access to the UK’s agricultural market and is pushing for a trade deal that accepts US production standards and practices.

“The NFU has been very clear on this point. It is imperative that any future trade deals, including a possible deal with the USA, do not allow the imports of food produced to lower standards than those required of British farmers.

“British people value and demand the high standards of animal welfare, environmental protection and food safety that our own farmers adhere to. These world-leading standards must not be sacrificed in the pursuit of reaching rushed trade deals. We should not accept trade deals which allow food to be imported into this country produced in ways which would be illegal here.”

They’re far from alone with Jim Moseley, CEO of the Red Tractor Assurance, saying: “Categorically, the UK’s food standards are now under threat from the commercial appetites of the United States food lobby. We urge the government not to sacrifice legislation which prevents these sort of products from being sold in the UK.”

He added: “Our research shows that shoppers look for food that has been produced to the highest standards of food safety, animal welfare and traceability. A deal that allows illegal products to be brought into the UK, lets down the British public and undermines all the investment and efforts of British farmers. This cannot be the right thing to do.”