“high health, environmental, labour, food safety and animal welfare standards”, and according Batters, the US, New Zealand and Canada have said that they are also looking for the same. “If we give away our negotiating capital to Australia, which is the second-largest exporter of beef in the world, second to Brazil, the others would most definitely want it,” she warned.
According to figures from the Food and Drink Federation (FDF), the UK imported £384m worth of food and drink from Australia last year, while exports to Australia amounted to £425m.
Meanwhile, the Department for International Trade claims that it will continue to work with the agricultural sector, and that any agreement with Canberra would include protections for the industry.
“Any deal we sign with Australia will include protections for the agriculture industry and will not undercut UK farmers or compromise our high standards,” the Department said. “We will continue to work with the industry, keeping them involved throughout the process and helping it capture the full benefits of trade.”
