One million people have backed Welsh and British farming and food production by signing an NFU Cymru and NFU petition urging government to ensure future trade deals do not lead to an increase in food imports that would be illegal to produce here.
It is the clearest indication yet that the Welsh and British public do not want to see food on their supermarket shelves, or in their restaurants or cafes, that fall below the standards farmers here adhere to.
The issue of where our food comes from and how it is produced has united the public up and down the country with every MP being contacted by a constituent on the topic, as well as drawing the support of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty, of Jimmy’s Farm in the Mail on Sunday. Consumer group Which? have also aligned themselves with the cause.
NFU Cymru President John Davies said: “The fact that one million people have signed this petition, urging the government to put in to law rules that prevent food being imported to the UK which is produced in ways that would be illegal here, is a clear signal of how passionate the public feel about this issue. It has been overwhelming to see this volume of support.
“It is now clear that it is simply not credible for the government to continue to just pay lip service to this issue, when there is such public support for action. They must now give guarantees to the Welsh and British people that they have listened to their concerns and will make firm commitments to address them.
“Trade policy is complicated, but what the public are telling us is quite simple. They care deeply about their food, where it comes from and how it is produced.
“They do not want to see chlorinated chicken or hormone-fed beef on their supermarket shelves, and nor do they want to see food imported which has been produced in lower welfare or environmental systems than is legally allowed in this country. Farmers, animal welfare groups, environmentalists and now the public have made their voices clear.
“There is a simple solution that we are presenting; the introduction of a Trade and Standards Commission. This would be an independent body that can review trade policy and ensure all of our food imports are held to the same standards expected of Welsh and British farmers.
“Given the clear commitments in the Conservative Party manifesto that they will not compromise British farming’s high standards, is it not a logical next step to put in place a panel of experts that can carry out that direction?
“These are decisions that will leave a legacy for decades and generations to come. It is so important that we get this right. Access to safe, traceable, affordable and nutritious food produced to the highest standards should be a right for all. We must not throw that away in the pursuit of free trade.”