Do you remember the days of ‘chlorinated chicken’?
Well, those conversations look like they’re coming back with the government working frantically to secure some kind of trade deal with the US.
For context, the US allows chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef to be sold for consumption. The process is done to eliminate infection, and hormones are given to animals to boost yield, but campaigners say these practices allow lower welfare standards and poorer hygiene.
Previous trade negotiations stalled because the Conservative government wouldn’t allow these products on British shelves – and the current environment secretary, Steve Reed, has ruled out a deal that would “undercut British farmers on welfare or environmental standards”.
But Nigel Farage said if he were PM, he would agree to allowing American chlorine-washed chicken to be sold in the UK, citing consumer choice.
The Reform UK leader, who is close to the US president, told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that, as part of any trade deal, Donald Trump “would want US agricultural products to be sold in Britain”.
He said: “Now there’s been some concern about chlorine-treated chicken etc, but there is an answer to that which is label things, let consumers decide.
“So I think this shouldn’t be just about avoiding tariffs, it should be a broader deal.”
Asked directly whether he was in favour of allowing chlorine-treated chicken to be sold in the UK, he said: “I would allow consumers in America to buy our products and consumers here to buy their products, and provided we have the right labelling, that’s good.”