EFRA Committee Chair has brought
to the Prime Minister's attention the risk that cheap
Brazilian beef imports could begin to out-compete
UK-grown products within days.
This week, the European Union will ban Brazilian beef
imports because of concerns over anti-microbial resistance
in Brazilian farming. There are widespread concerns that this
could lead to discounted Brazilian beef
being diverted in greater volumes to the UK if the
government does not impose similar restrictions.
The Prime Minister, after making his first address to Parliament,
responded to the Chair by saying that all of
these issues are on the table. He went on to suggest
that British produce should be used more widely in UK public
sector catering such as in schools and
prisons.
The Chair's question to the PM follows a letter from
the Committee to Defra on the issue of Brazilian beef imports,
and how an influx of these products could undermine
British farmer's world leading work in tackling anti-microbial
resistance.
Commenting after the Commons discussion, the Chair said:
The Prime Minister's response was concerning in some respects
in that he seemed to grasp only the economic aspect of
this issue rather than the paramount need to protect
livestock from disease. This is not just about food that is
cheap but about food that is up to
the same standards our British farmers work hard to
achieve. We await Defra's formal response to our letter, but
action is needed urgently.
The UK is a world leader in tackling the risks posed
by antimicrobial resistance, an achievement only made
possible by the hard work and professionalism of UK farmers. But
our government risks undoing that work and seeing our farmers
undercut by dumping of cheaper imports if it stays asleep at
the wheel and doesn't impose restrictions or
take additional measures to ensure safety.
