Written by Iain Hoey
The Country Land an Business Association (CLA) has issued an official response following the publication of the UK’s approach to trade negotiations with the US by the Department for International Trade
CLA President Mark Bridgeman said: “Potential objectives of negotiating a wide ranging and flexible Free Trade Agreement cannot be underestimated. Such an agreement would not only reinforce the already longstanding and historic links between the two countries but also act as a benchmark agreement between ourselves and other countries as the UK seeks to exploit the opportunities afforded by Brexit.
“That does not mean to say, however, that the UK should weaken standards that protect the general public and are a foundation of our food production systems. A negotiated FTA that allowed unbridled access to the UK’s food market would do irreparable damage to UK producers and singularly fail to understand the wishes of UK consumers. These negotiations need a balanced approach that recognise the importance both countries attach to the agri-food sector while, at the same time, offering equitable market access that protects the UK’s high environmental and food safety standards.”
The full UK and US Free Trade Agreement document can be found here.
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