Huge environmental and animal welfare advances made by Europe's farmers in recent years will be thrown into reverse unless the UK joins other European countries in bringing pressure on Peter Mandelson to stop his damaging disregard for agriculture in world trade talks, says the National Pig Association.
Mandelson's plan to slash tariffs on sensitive farm products such as beef and pork in return for a world trade deal on industrial goods and services is grossly irresponsible and will cost thousands of farming jobs in this country, says the association.
"We support the position taken by the Agriculture Ministers of France, Ireland and Italy who have objected to this clear disregard for agriculture. We urge our own government to recognise these dangers and not to let Brussels wreak havoc on Europe's farming industry," said NPA chairman Stewart Houston.
Europe's higher welfare, environmental and food safety standards load an estimated £7 billion extra cost on its farmers – which means many will be forced out of business if the European Commission fails to safeguard the higher standards.
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Mandelson's world trade giveaway spells disaster for the British countryside
The European Commission is proposing sensitive products, such as pork, be limited to only eight percent of its total farm imports, and it has said it will cut average agricultural tariffs by almost half, from 23 percent to 12 percent.
"The United Kingdom's pig producers are in favour of trade liberalisation but not to the extent of committing sure and certain suicide," said Stewart Houston. "We share France's view that Peter Mandelson has overstepped his mandate and we urge our own government to step in and protect our corner as a matter of urgency.
"If it doesn't, it can kiss goodbye to a sustainable countryside and consumers will have to accept that all the important advances we have made in their name in environmental, safety, and welfare standards will disappear under an onslaught of cheap imports from countries where such issues are less important."
