‘EU’s own scientists say Brussels wrong!’ Furious chicken row erupts on GMB over US trade

Brexit activist Tom Harwood dismantled claims a trade deal with the US could bring down British food standard if products like chlorinated chicken are allowed into the country. Remainers have long claimed striking trade deal with countries lacking strong agri-food standards could compromise the quality of UK foods and be harmful to people. But Mr Harwood was quick to dismiss major concerns as he pointed out scientists from the European Union’s own European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) claimed the consumption of food treated with chlorine would not be harmful. 

Mr Harwood said: “European scientists actually disagree with European politicians on this.

“The EU’s own scientists have said there is no problem with washing chicken with chlorine. And yet there is a political argument because of ideological campaigners.

“EU member states used to wash chicken in chlorine and other disinfectants to get rid of potentially harmful bacteria but the practice was banned in 1997 over food safety concerns.

“It’s not about the science and the British Government said, just last week, trade will be governed by science, not by activists.”

JUST IN: Brexit plot: EU tries to scupper UK’s US trade deal with shock manoeuvre

EU member states used to wash chicken in chlorine and other disinfectants to get rid of potentially harmful bacteria but the practice was banned in 1997 over food safety concerns.

The consumption of chlorine is not the main issue to the EU, with its own scientists writing in 2005 that “exposure to chlorite residues arising from treated poultry carcasses would be of no safety concern.”

Indeed, the practice of washing salad in chlorine remains widely spread across the UK and the bloc.

EU member states first came to an agreement on common food standards following a series of food incidents – including Mad Cow Disease in the UK across the 1980s and 1990s – across the continent.

READ MORE: Boris scrambles to solve EU riddle as Brussels issues Ireland warning

New regulation setting general principles on the development of food and animal feed in the European Union was agreed in 2002 and a new independent agency, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), was also set up to provide scientific advice and support.

The UK has abided by EU food regulation as a member state and established the non-ministerial Food Standards Agency (FSA) in 2000 to protect public health across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

EU regulation on food health and safety will no longer apply to the UK at the end of the transition period, paving the way for the UK to strike new deals on food with non-EU countries, but the Chief Executive of the Tenant Farmers Association, George Dunn, urged British consumers to choose British at the supermarket.

The UK Government is expected to publish its own negotiating mandate for a desired free trade agreement with the US the week after next.

DON’T MISS

Brexit plot: EU tries to scupper UK’s US trade deal with shock move [INSIGHT]
Brussels divided: EU turns on each other as budget row erupts [ANALYSIS]
Huge row over Brussels budget fraud exposed [INSIGHT]

But a French clause included in the EU negotiating mandate insists both the UK and remaining member states “health and product sanitary quality in the food and agriculture sector”.

The clause provides assurances that methods of food production including the use of pesticides, endocrine disrupters or chlorine wash for poultry will not be used in the UK.

Ministers are expected to commit to seeking to obtain a Canada-style agreement with zero tariffs in the negotiating mandate scheduled for publication on Thursday.

But this could set up a clash with the EU after its chief negotiator Michel Barnier ruled out the possibility the UK can have the same deal.

CBI director-general Dame Carolyn Fairbairn said: “With talks now in touching distance, the CBI has asked employers across the country what practical outcomes they need from the future EU relationship so they can concentrate on what they do best: investing, innovating, creating jobs and supporting a strong economy.

“The message is clear: keep trade easy and minimise red tape. For this reason, British firms back many of the Government’s objectives set out in the negotiating mandate, such as on zero tariffs and data.”

Source: Read Full Article