Brexit Britain could be forced to import chlorinated chicken as part of US trade deal

[Chico]

Whilst in favour of a trade deal with the US, this is not good for the UK consumers.

Britain could be forced to accept chlorine-washed chicken, lactic acid sprayed pork and hormone-grown beef.
Liam Fox reportedly favours relaxation of rules in order to secure free trade deal with the US.
EU has opposed chemical washing due to safety and hygiene fears.
Theresa May's spokesperson fails to rule out changing food safety rules.
International Trade Secretary attacks BBC as he begins US trade trip.
LONDON — Britain could be forced to accept chlorine-washed chickens as part of its post-Brexit trade deal with the US, under plans being pushed by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox.

Chlorinated chicken is currently banned from import under EU rules, along with the use of growth hormones in beef farming, the spraying of pig carcasses with lactic acid and the sale of unlabelled genetically modified food.

Europe has opposed the use of chemical cleaning due both to safety concerns and the fears that they could lead to laxer hygiene practices elsewhere in the supply chain.

However, the dropping of these rules is set to be part of future trade talks between the US and UK. The American Farming Association has previously insisted that Britain must come into line with the US.

Fox is reportedly in favour of dropping the rules despite disagreement with other members of Theresa May's Cabinet, including the Environment Secretary Michael Gove.

Asked at a press conference in Washington today whether he backed the importation of chlorinated chicken, Fox accused journalists of being "obsessed" by the issue, but added that it would bediscussed as "a detail of the very end stage of one sector [of trade talks]."

A spokesperson for the prime minister on Monday also refused to rule out accepting chlorine-soaked chicken as part of any US deal.

"I'm not going to get into hypotheticals," the spokesperson said.

They added: "Our position when it comes to food is that maintaining public confidence in the food we eat is of the highest priority and any future trade deal must work for farmers, businesses and consumers."

Labour accused the government of trading away Britain's food standards.

"This just goes to show that you should never trust a Fox in your hen coop," Barry Gardiner MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for International Trade, said.

"By arguing the case for chlorine-washed chicken, Liam Fox shows he is ready to abandon British poultry farmers in favour of cheap US imports that do not meet our sanitary or animal welfare standards."

Campaigners against a Hard Brexit today called on Fox to publicly eat a chlorinated chicken.

"If the International Trade Secretary wants the public to trust him, he needs to take the opportunity while he's in the US and devour a chlorine-washed chicken live on camera," James McGrory, Executive Director of Open Britain, said.

"The choice of recipe is up to him, but one serving suggestion might be Chlorination Chicken.

"The proof of the chicken is in the eating and if Dr Fox thinks it's safe, he should put his money where his mouth is. If he doesn't, he is just chicken."

Fox visit
The row comes as Fox visits Washington as part of preliminary talks over a possible future free trade deal with the US.

Talking to the BBC, Fox said that Britain could increase trade with the US by £40bn a year by 2030 "if we’re able to remove the barriers to trade that we have".

He acknowledged that "Agriculture’s always a very difficult issue," but added "It will be a difficult discussion . . . but we’ve got great support from the United States and the administration as well as Congress to help push the agenda forward."

Britain is prohibited from entering formal talks about a free trade deal with the US until it has left the EU. However, Fox believes that this week's visit will form part of scoping the shape of any future talks.

Fox accuses BBC of Brexit bias
Fox used the start of his visit to launch an attack on the BBC for what he believes is its biased coverage of Brexit.

In a letter to BBC Director General Tony Hall, Fox accused the broadcaster of "a clear pattern of unbalanced reporting," of what he believes is the positive economic impact of Brexit.

"I understand that the BBC cannot cover every story and I appreciate too that, despite its best efforts, the corporation cannot always guarantee total impartiality," Fox wrote

"However, I believe that we are now seeing a clear pattern of unbalanced reporting of the UK economy and, when it comes to the work of my department, evidence of the corporation willfully ignoring positive economic data when we publish it."

Fox was accused of trying to intimidate the broadcaster.

"This is a blatant attempt at intimidating the BBC and undermining the independence of our media," Liberal Democrat chief whip, Alistair Carmichael said.

"The BBC shouldn’t be bullied into publishing government propaganda and has rightly stood its ground."

"Liam Fox is acting like a tinpot dictator. He can’t blame the media for his inability to deliver on all the trade deals promised by the Brexiteers."

A spokesperson for the BBC said: "We do not recognise the characterisation of our coverage outlined in the letter, but the BBC is always happy to talk with politicians as we always do on a regular basis."

[Neverna]

You can't be "forced" to import anything if you agree to it. Of course, if you don't agree to it, it won't be part of a deal.

[Chico]

Unfortunately, the Govt will accept it.and no doubt the Americans will import it themselves and sell through the American companies.

The big companies no doubt will also buy because of profit margins, the presently is a good relationship working with British farmers and many hotels now locally source.

[Begbie]

[buriramboy]

Just because we may end up importing dodgy Seppo meat doesn't mean you actually have to buy it.

[Chico]

Hopefully not but price means more to many than their health.

[buriramboy]

Hopefully not but price means more to many than their health.

Not true as otherwise people would cook fresh food at home and you wouldn't see Macdonalds packed out at anytime of the day when ever you drive past.

[cyrille]

Just because we may end up importing dodgy Seppo meat doesn't mean you actually have to buy it.

Hopefully not but price means more to many than their health.

Yeah, because when sub standard meat comes on the market it's always cheaper for the consumer and marked 'this stuff stinks'.

You fucking morons.

[buriramboy]

Just because we may end up importing dodgy Seppo meat doesn't mean you actually have to buy it.

Hopefully not but price means more to many than their health.

Yeah, because when sub standard meat comes on the market it's always cheaper for the consumer and marked 'this stuff stinks'.

You fucking morons.

Christ you are one boring, tedious cvnt, is there some point to your post other than yet again showing your ability to put people to sleep with your pointless drivel.

[buriramboy]

Thick cvnt Sybil is probably not aware that all food in the UK is labelled with country of origin on but then again a tedious life TEFLing with no money and no life means the poor old potless bore doesn't get around much.

[Chico]

Hopefully not but price means more to many than their health.

Not true as otherwise people would cook fresh food at home and you wouldn't see Macdonalds packed out at anytime of the day when ever you drive past.

Nah it's very true, if they're able to go to a shop and pick up a rib eye steak or a loin of pork or whole chicken for half the price that it sells for now, it will fly out the supermarkets. the likes of Wetherspoons etc will be selling steak and a pint for next to nothing.

[Chico]

Just because we may end up importing dodgy Seppo meat doesn't mean you actually have to buy it.

Hopefully not but price means more to many than their health.

Yeah, because when sub standard meat comes on the market it's always cheaper for the consumer and marked 'this stuff stinks'.

You fucking morons.

wow if the post wasn't so abusive I'd green you.

[buriramboy]

Hopefully not but price means more to many than their health.

Not true as otherwise people would cook fresh food at home and you wouldn't see Macdonalds packed out at anytime of the day when ever you drive past.

Nah it's very true, if they're able to go to a shop and pick up a rib eye steak or a loin of pork or whole chicken for half the price that it sells for now, it will fly out the supermarkets. the likes of Wetherspoons etc will be selling steak and a pint for next to nothing.

You can buy reasonable rib eye steaks from supermarkets for about £3.50, a whole chicken for £4, people in the UK are just lazy and don't cook hence the amount of fast food joints and take aways everywhere. While some things in the UK maybe seen as expensive food in supermarkets isn't.

[Chico]

And as I posted it will be half the price. and be promoted big time.

Not sure which supermarkets you buy from but I can tell now they ain't edible, most probably either Irish or Argentian.

[Chico]

That's the steaks, the chicken and pork are all farmed with steroids.

[chassamui]

US beef is good quality. Australian is certainly much better. Locally grown stuff is good too.

Importers will only buy stuff that sells. The British Public may be more discerning than you think.

I never buy Thai beef here because it's crap.

[Chico]

Fuk me, are you having a laugh or what, try airborne pathogens and progress from there, though I thought I had the intellect of a coconut

[chassamui]

airborne pathogens

. ..... which even you are subject to. Allegedly.

[Chico]

Carry n eating the stuff, though possibly why you're full of shit.

[Chico]

No seriously you guys really need to look into what you're eating.

[Troy]

I never buy Thai beef here because it's crap.

Beef from the local stall can be pretty iffy but I have had some good Thai beef from Robinson. It is a pity the Thai-French Beef farm ended with tears in Sakon Nakhon; excellent beef.

Back to chickens.

The problem will not be at the supermarket where the discerning housewife can check the label and drop the US chlorinated bird in favour of the super-duper local model, It will be at the wholesalers and the cheapest meat to stick in the take-away outlets and greasy joe's cafes.

[chassamui]

It will be at the wholesalers and the cheapest meat to stick in the take-away outlets and greasy joe's cafes.

Good point, well raised. Pity Chico never thought of that.

[Chico]

Troy how much you pay for it from Robinsons.?

[Troy]

Troy how much you pay for it from Robinsons.?

Can't remember exactly, much cheaper than Australian obviously. Quick consult with wife and she thinks it was 350Baht/kilo for beef tenderloin.

[Chico]

It will be at the wholesalers and the cheapest meat to stick in the take-away outlets and greasy joe's cafes.

Good point, well raised. Pity Chico never thought of that.

In the supermarket, they will have the choice to buy.

If you think the supermarkets give a damn about what you're eating your a gullible silly sausage.

Profits are their only concern.