The second round of trade talks between the United States and United Kingdom has ended with food standards, including safety, still high on the agenda.

Negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) took place from June 15 to 26 with the next session planned for the end of July. They began in May with U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. The U.S. is the UK’s largest bilateral trading partner and biggest export market outside of the EU.

Trade Minister Liz Truss said there is no set deadline for any agreement.

“The government remains clear on protecting the National Health Service (NHS) and not compromising on the UK’s high environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards,” she said.

No to chlorinated chicken and hormone treated beef
This reiterates previous comments from a government spokesperson, who said it would not sign a trade deal that compromises on these areas.

“Chlorinated chicken and hormone injected beef are not permitted for import into the UK. This will be retained through the EU Withdrawal Act and enshrined in UK law at the end of the transition agreement,” said the spokesperson.

Sue Davies, head of consumer protection and food policy at consumer watchdog Which?, said the current status of food standards in UK law could be changed with limited parliamentary scrutiny.

“In order to maintain the UK’s current high standards, the government should take the opportunity to proactively put its commitments into law through the trade or agriculture bills – giving consumers and food producers reassurance that our hard-won food standards will never be on the table in trade negotiations.”

On July 1, the International Agreements Sub-Committee had its first evidence session on the UK-US trade negotiations, focusing on agri-foods. Speakers included Nick von Westenholz, of the National Farmers’ unio (NFU); Michael Haverty, from The Andersons Centre; and Elsa Fairbanks, director at the Food and Drink Exporters’ Association.

Topics such as Sanitary and Phytosanitary Standards (SPS) and animal welfare, genetically modified foods, geographical indications, and trade in agricultural and food products were covered.