Interesting interview with @redsquaretim chair of the new UK Trade and Agriculture Commission on @BBCFarmingToday. He doesn’t expect the UK to lower its food standards, etc.

(first part of this) https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000lf11

But">https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/pl... his references to the WTO are a bit off

1/7

This is what @redsquaretim told @BBCFarmingToday about the UK’s opportunities in the WTO.

But

1. Since 2000, an unresolved battle in WTO ag talks to have rules on animal welfare

For: EU (yes, UK too), Switzerland, etc.
Against: eg developing countries—“feed people first”

2/7

2. @redsquaretim should know that the WTO does not set standards.

So “negotiate for improved WTO standards” is impossible.

And WTO members would not take kindly to the UK trying to impose its standards on them.

3/7

So what are WTO rules on food safety, animal/plant health (“SPS”)?

Either: follow international standards set elsewhere. Food safety: @FAOWHOCodex. Animal health: @OIEAnimalHealth. Plant health: @ippcnews

Or: base your standards on science and risk

https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/sps_e/sps_e.htm

4/7">https://www.wto.org/english/t...

3. “Chlorine-washed chicken” remains an unresolved debate in the WTO about the science and other issues surrounding antimicrobial treatments (not just chlorine).

The discussion in the SPS Committee: http://spsims.wto.org/en/SpecificTradeConcerns/View/10

The">https://spsims.wto.org/en/Specif... unresolved dispute https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds389_e.htm

5/7">https://www.wto.org/english/t...

4. Added hormones in beef—the UK’s ban violates WTO rules

A WTO legal dispute found the EU (and therefore UK too) had not provided scientific evidence to support the ban: https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds26_e.htm

The">https://www.wto.org/english/t... Trade & Ag Commission may have to recommend what to do

6/7
cc @BBCFarmingToday

How the UK handles the beef-hormone issue is complicated.

Keep the ban? Renegotiate UK’s share of EU compensation for the US etc, involving dreaded tariff quotas.

Lift the ban? Trouble at home.

Finally, more on standards in the WTO https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/agrm4_e.htm

7/7">https://www.wto.org/english/t...