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Agricultural Sector Import Standards 2026-01-22
22 January 2026
Lead MP
Sam Carling
Debate Type
General Debate
Tags
EconomyTaxationBrexit
Other Contributors: 25
At a Glance
Sam Carling raised concerns about agricultural sector import standards 2026-01-22 in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Opened the debate
The debate focuses on the imbalance between high domestic farming standards in the UK, prioritising animal welfare and environmental considerations, and the often lower import standards. Sam Carling highlights that while the Government's animal welfare strategy is commendable, there is a need to address imports from countries with less stringent regulations. He provides statistics showing significant increases in non-EU agricultural imports since Brexit and argues for trade deals that uphold high domestic standards on both animal welfare and pesticides.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Commends the debate's focus, expressing concern about the potential negative impact of increased imports from low-welfare countries due to trade deals such as EU-Mercosur. He calls for UK Government representation in discussions with the EU on food safety and quality.
Julie Minns
Lab
Carlisle
Highlights the risk of animal diseases like foot and mouth from illegal meat imports, advocating for a coordinated strategy involving government bodies to ensure biosecurity. She supports the idea that ensuring high import standards is crucial.
Amanda Hack
Lab
North West Leicestershire
Emphasises the importance of food safety alongside welfare concerns, citing past salmonella outbreaks and supporting the need for stringent import regulations. She underscores public support for banning low-welfare imports.
Charlie Dewhirst
Con
Bridlington and The Wolds
We import food due to self-sufficiency limitations, particularly in pork and poultry. Sanitary and phytosanitary agreements do not cover welfare issues, making it challenging to enforce standards without breaching WTO rules. It is important to maintain domestic production levels and job security, avoiding displacement of British farmers with lower-standard international producers.
Lee Pitcher
Lab
Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
In Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, agriculture is crucial. Farmers face a challenging market due to imports produced at lower standards and costs. UK grain faces competition from non-assured imports, impacting prices for assured grains. Imported potatoes are undercutting local production, leading to cost inefficiencies. Lower welfare standard beef imports harm British farmers maintaining high standards. Crop protection double standards exist with banned products elsewhere but not in the UK. Sugar beet growers face competition from imported sugar cane processed and sold as British.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Highlights the economic challenges faced by dairy farmers in Caerfyrddin due to market volatility. Advocates for equality in standards between domestic and imported products, citing public support for equal food quality standards. Discusses local initiatives supporting UK farming through public procurement.
Josh Newbury
Lab
Cannock Chase
Acknowledges the importance of free trade but expresses concern over the impact on British farmers due to lower welfare and environmental standards in imported products. Supports core standards for agrifood imports, highlighting ethical and economic consequences. Discusses consumer confidence issues related to labelling.
Adrian Ramsay
Green
Waveney Valley
Welcomed the animal welfare strategy but highlighted gaps in ensuring that imports meet UK's high standards. Cited statistics showing that 97% of pork imports come from countries where sow stalls are legal, and battery cages remain widespread elsewhere. Called for a statutory requirement to ensure that imported products meet British welfare standards.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Supported the importance of maintaining high farming standards and acknowledged efforts like agricultural property relief improvements. Emphasised local success stories in Newcastle-under-Lyme, such as Betley Court farm's fireworks display and Kennerley’s Plum Tree Park farm’s diversification efforts. Called for support to improve public services and ensure contracts favour British food suppliers.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Critiqued the Conservative government's handling of post-Brexit farming and international trade, highlighting a lack of political direction and poor trade deals. Emphasised the need for proper scrutiny in new trade agreements to protect British farmers from lower standard imports. Raised concerns about milk prices falling below production cost due to increased foreign product competition without origin labelling, leading to economic distress among dairy farmers. Proposed legislation requiring trade deals not to harm British dairy farmers and advocated for stronger supply chain regulations.
Neil Hudson
Con
Epping Forest
UK farmers produce food to some of the highest animal welfare, environmental and safety standards in the world. However, lower standard imports compete unfairly with UK products, undermining these values. The government must uphold bans on hormone-treated beef, ractopamine-treated pork, chlorine-washed poultry, and bovine somatotropin-treated dairy. Enhanced labelling is needed to support UK farmers and consumers.
Charlie Dewhirst
Con
Bridlington and The Wolds
Discussed the complexities of global meat trade and importance of food security, advocating for a sensible transition on husbandry regulations. Highlighted inappropriate antibiotic use in farming practices.
Lee Pitcher
Lab
Doncaster East and Isle of Axholme
Emphasised the significance of grain and sugar sectors in his constituency and advocated for transparency in food labelling to ensure consumers are aware of product origins and standards.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Brought expertise from her farming background, focusing on welfare standards, food security, and the importance of local food procurement to support British agriculture.
Josh Newbury
Con
Cannock Chase
Stressed the need for transparency in food labelling to inform consumers about product origins and quality. Emphasised the importance of upholding high animal welfare standards.
Adrian Ramsay
Con
Waveney Valley
Advocated against hormone-treated beef and chlorine-washed poultry imports, underscoring the need to maintain stringent welfare regulations that reflect UK values and protect domestic producers from unfair competition.
Charlie Dewhirst
Lab
Bridlington and The Wolds
Farmers are asking for a fair and level field on which to compete, which means import standards that reflect the standards required of British farmers and demanded by British consumers, as well as clear red lines in every trade negotiation, proper enforcement at our borders and no agreements that sacrifice agriculture for political expedience.
He agreed with the hon. Member for Bridlington and The Wolds on ensuring that imports meet British standards to avoid undercutting farmers. He highlighted the issue of farm washing where imported products falsely claim to meet British standards. He supported the idea of more public sector prioritisation in buying British, as mentioned by the hon. Member for Caerfyrddin. He also emphasised the importance of honest labelling and enforcement of standards.
He raised issues regarding farrowing crates and other welfare concerns. He argued that imports should meet British animal welfare standards to prevent undercutting local farmers.
He discussed the enforcement of standards and honest labelling, highlighting the issue of farm washing where imported products falsely claim to meet British standards.
She advocated for more public sector prioritisation in buying British produce to support local farmers and uphold domestic animal welfare standards.
He referenced Baroness Batters' profitability review which includes positive references to the issue of ensuring imports meet British standards. He highlighted the impact of undercutting on his constituents.
He reiterated points about the impact of imports undercutting farmers and emphasised the importance of upholding domestic animal welfare standards.
He stressed the importance of buying British for the hospitality industry, including pubs in his constituency, to support local producers.
She commented on the Australian trade deal and criticised the previous Government's approach. She also highlighted concerns about future trade deals impacting animal welfare standards.
Government Response
This debate goes to the heart of something that this Government care deeply about: the future of British farming and the food on British tables. We are a trading nation. Trade gives families access to food that we cannot grow here; it keeps prices affordable; it means that we can get food out of season all year round; and it provides a safety net when supply chains are disrupted by disease, drought or conflict.
Shadow Response
None
Shadow Response
The shadow Minister spoke extensively about the Conservatives' record, including a quote from Michael Gove criticising previous Government's approach to trade deals with Australia and New Zealand. He encouraged Opposition Members to reflect on this criticism.
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Assessment & feedback
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