Would Liam Fox eat a chlorine-washed chicken?
Trade Secretary dismisses media 'obsession' with lower food standards post-Brexit
Liam Fox's trip to the US has heightened fears the UK may have to compromise on food and animal safety standards if it wants a trade deal after Brexit.
US farmers are expected to lobby for agriculture to be included in any trade deal, a deal that could see chlorine-washed chicken, GM crops and hormone-fed beef imported into Britain for the first time, The Guardian says.
However, Fox yesterday complained transatlantic trade talks were being undermined by the media's "obsession" with the issue.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"In a debate which should be about how you get, or make, a contribution to global liberalisation and the prosperity of both the UK, the US and our trading partners... the British media are obsessed with chlorine-washed chickens," he told the American Enterprise Institute.
Chickens would be "a detail in the very end stage of one sector of a potential free-trade agreement", he added.
In response, campaign group Open Britain challenged Fox to eat a US chicken. He didn’t answer the call, but the debate is not expected to end there.
"The row over chlorinated chicken is set to intensify with a warning that cheap imported food could threaten farm animal welfare standards after Brexit," Sky News says.
Fox's trip, which is aimed at setting the stage for trade talks, has driven home to many in the UK that the country may have to compromise on food to secure a bilateral trade deal in the US.
Concerns about EU and US standards "were among issues that resulted in the two sides failing to agree a comprehensive trade and investment partnership last year", the BBC says.
US farmers wash their chickens in chlorine to kill salmonella and other bacteria. Under EU rules, such poultry is banned from imports.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The drive behind Germany's pro-Israel political consensus
Under the Radar Belief that Israel's security is a 'raison d'etre for the German republic' is under growing pressure
By The Week UK Published
-
'The House under GOP rule has become a hostile workplace'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
The Shohei Ohtani gambling scandal is about more than bad bets
In The Spotlight The firestorm surrounding one of baseball's biggest stars threatens to upend a generational legacy and professional sports at large
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Will Aukus pact survive a second Trump presidency?
Today's Big Question US, UK and Australia seek to expand 'game-changer' defence partnership ahead of Republican's possible return to White House
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Cubans rally for 'power and food' in rare protests
Speed Read The protests came after 18-hour rolling blackouts and food supply shortages
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Iran at the crossroads: have the mullahs lost their grip?
In Depth Iranian voters delivered a 'stinging rebuke' to the regime in parliamentary elections
By The Week UK Published
-
The state of Russian opposition after Navalny
The Explainer Potential challengers to Vladimir Putin have been jailed, exiled or barred from ballot
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Haiti leader agrees to exit amid growing chaos
speed read Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry announced his resignation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Zelenskyy says 31,000 troops dead in 2 years of war
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rare official military death toll
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published