The UK pig sector called on the next prime minister to ensure that any future trade deal would not result in pork production according to “illegal” standards.

Donald Trump's visit to Great Britain earlier this week again put the UK-US Trade Deal on the agenda again after Brexit. The US president told outgoing Prime Minister Theresa May that he was expecting a “very substantial bargain.” Everything is on the table. ”

Mrs. May and Minister Michael Gove have repeatedly stated that British agriculture will not be jeopardized by trade deals after Brexit. But the National Association of Pigs (NPA) warned that any future trade deal with the United States could "open the door to illegal pork production in the UK."

The US government and pig breeding made it clear that they want to see "removal of obstacles" in any trade transaction. The American pig industry has long been dissatisfied with the EU’s “unscientific” approach, which has effectively halted US meat imports by banning certain methods that are widespread in the United States.

In addition, the successes achieved by the British pig industry in reducing antibiotic use in recent years are not comparable in the United States, where their level of use remains high.

NPA Executive Director Zoe Davis said that there is also a “huge gap” in standards between British and American pig breeding. This gap includes the use of ractopamine in the United States pig industry and the much wider use of antibiotics.

The NPA Executive Director also stated that pork production in the USA is “much cheaper” compared to the UK: “Admission to the country of a product produced using methods prohibited in the UK will be a betrayal of British pig farmers and the high production standards that they proudly adhere to. It would also be extremely unpopular among consumers. ”