Vast majority think imported food must meet UK standards

Most people agree the government should ensure imported food meets the same environmental and animal welfare standards as food produced in the UK
Most people agree the government should ensure imported food meets the same environmental and animal welfare standards as food produced in the UK

The vast majority of consumers think imported food should meet British production standards, new research reveals.

It says the government should ensure that all imported food meets the same high animal welfare and environmental standards in place on British farms.

That’s the overwhelming view of the public according to research carried out by ComRes on behalf of the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists (BGAJ).

ComRes surveyed the public in September and found 84% support the view that imports should match British standards.

It comes as Brexit threatens to open the door to imports from low cost producing, de-regulated markets across the globe.

The study found that just 16% would buy food they know is produced to lower animal welfare standards if it was cheaper than food produced to a high standard.

BGAJ President Baroness Rosie Boycott said the results of the study are a 'stark reminder' to government that the public values British farming.

“There will always be countries able to produce cheaper food than Britain but it always comes at a cost. It could be the safety of the food, the farmer, an animal or the environment,” she said.

“With Brexit on the horizon we’re on the brink of potentially seeing lower quality food imports flooding into the country.

“The survey resoundingly shows there’s no appetite for it and it’s the responsibility of government and the entire supply chain to put the safeguards in place to protect both British farmers and the consumer.”

The results of the study come at a critical time for British agriculture – a sector which stands to lose more than most if the protection provided by the EU's single market is not replicated post Brexit.

British standards of food and farming are seen as among the best in the world due to decades of progression in the areas of production that matter most to consumers.

Many countries which can produce food cheaper than Britain are often using production methods which are illegal across Europe; chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-injected beef being two well-reported examples.

Professor of Food Policy at the University of London, Tim Lang, said: “An overwhelming 84% want imported food to be of the same standard as home produced food. Gung-ho supporters of yoking the UK to the USA post Brexit should note this.

“The survey suggests the UK public almost certainly recognises the need for UK farming to tick lots of boxes. It’s got the message that farming is multi-functional.”