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Today with our colleagues @ClientEarth we've published a briefing from @IEEP_eu examining how to develop and secure environmental core standards for #trade. 1/9 https://greenallianceblog.org.uk/2020/12/11/we-need-a-trade-policy-that-aligns-food-imports-with-environmental-goals/
There's been a lot of concern about chlorinated chicken & hormone treated beef. These products are banned in the UK and we need to maintain those standards, but we also need to go further to ensure trade policy is fit for the 21st century & our ambitious environmental goals. 2/
The debate has become increasingly polarised - at one end is the suggestion lowering import barriers would lead to a flood of food produced to low standards, driving a race to the bottom & undercutting UK competitiveness, at the other is a view that restrictions are protectionist
So how do we protect UK standards & begin to raise the bar for environment protection? Our briefing suggests
-Protect all existing UK environmental standards
-Filter the food we import based on its environmental footprint
-Facilitate trade in line with environmental objectives
4/
-Protect all existing UK environmental standards
-Filter the food we import based on its environmental footprint
-Facilitate trade in line with environmental objectives
4/
These things aren't simple - we need to account for product standards and production standards as well as how they are applied domestically and to imports. And there aren't one-size-fits-all answers - a rule on irrigation that makes sense for the UK might not apply overseas. 5/
The briefing suggests instead developing a set of core standards that protect our ability to deliver key environmental outcomes, in areas that have a significant impact on agricultural practices, and have potential costs for producers that could limit their competitiveness. 6/
Key areas with rules identified as fitting these criteria for core standards are:
-pesticides
-fertilisers
-ammonia
-wildlife
-permitting potential harmful activities
-environmental impact assessments
7/
-pesticides
-fertilisers
-ammonia
-wildlife
-permitting potential harmful activities
-environmental impact assessments
7/
This approach is not about protectionism of blocking trade, but rather facilitating a flexible approach to imports that ensures there isn't conflict between trade and environmental objectives as the UK increases it's ambition to tackle the climate and nature emergencies. 8/
Want to know more? Read the full briefing here: https://www.clientearth.org/media/erknx3ff/environmental-standards-for-uk-agriculture-in-a-new-trade-policy-framework_final-layout-1.pdf 9/9
cc: @DavidHenigUK @GeorgePeretzQC @suepritch @FFC_Commission @SamuelMarcLowe @vickihird @LydgateEmily @EmilyJonesBSG @nvonwestenholz
cc: @DavidHenigUK @GeorgePeretzQC @suepritch @FFC_Commission @SamuelMarcLowe @vickihird @LydgateEmily @EmilyJonesBSG @nvonwestenholz
