Stuart Anderson MP has urged farmers in South Shropshire to respond to a call for information that the government has launched on a new food trade agreement with the European Union. The Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement aims to “simplify checks” for food moving between the UK and the EU. However, Stuart is worried that it could dilute food standards and undercut farmers in South Shropshire.
- Stuart has urged farmers to respond to a call for information on a new food trade deal with the EU.
- Stuart added that food from abroad should meet the domestic standards.
- Stuart supports the Conservative Party’s plan to close the ‘flag loophole’ on food imports.
Stuart Anderson MP said:
“Farmers in South Shropshire proudly produce food to world leading standards. They must not be undercut by cheap imports from the EU that do not meet equivalent standards of animal welfare and environmental protection. In Parliament, I was delighted to meet with a consortium of charities who share my concern about these risks. This includes the National Farmers’ Union, RSCPA, and World Wildlife Fund, who want the government to set core standards that reinforce standards that meet the high expectations of British consumers. I also support the Conservative Party’s plan to ensure the Union Jack Flag and ‘Made in the UK’ claims are only used where food is genuinely produced in the United Kingdom.”
In Parliament, Stuart recently met with a consortium of charities including the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals (RSCPA), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The three charities are urging the government to keep its manifesto commitment to “promote the highest standards when it comes to food production” and implement a system of “core standards” to deliver on this.
In a press statement, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said:
“British farmers are leading the way on sustainability and animal welfare. The UK’s trade policy must reflect that progress, not undermine it. Yet currently, food imported into this country is not subject to minimum animal welfare or environmental production standards. This means currently food can be imported that would be illegal for our farmers to produce here. At a time when Defra is consulting on raising domestic animal welfare standards, it is only right that the government protects consumers from lower‑standard imports and ensures British farmers are not unfairly forced to compete with products that would be illegal to produce here.”
The meeting comes as the government negotiates an agreement with the European Union (EU), which Ministers have said will “make agrifood trade with our biggest market cheaper and easier.” However, Stuart has echoed calls from the three charities to ensure that imports meet the same sanitary, phytosanitary, animal welfare, and environmental standards as domestic products do. Stuart has said that the Office for Food Safety (SPS) must have sufficient resources to ensure the food we eat meets the high expectations of British consumers.
Stuart has added that food imported from abroad should always meet the same standards as those expected from domestic food producers. He has said that this is important to uphold food safety standards and ensure fair competition for farmers in South Shropshire. He has added that this would also prevent importers from undercutting British farmers, who already invest significant sums to meet strict animal welfare and environmental rules that are set to be further strengthened as a result of reforms in the Animal Welfare Strategy.
Stuart supports the Conservative Party’s plan to close the ‘flag loophole’ on food imports to stop local farmers from being undercut by cheap imports from abroad. Under current rules, products can display the Union Jack or be marketed as British even when key ingredients are sourced from overseas, provided disclaimers are included elsewhere on the packaging. Stuart has said that this is misleading for consumers and undermines the high standards of British producers. The plans will ensure that the Union Jack Flag and ‘Made in the UK’ claims are only used where food is genuinely produced in the United Kingdom.
The Call for Information closes on 23 April 2026. It is available at https://consult.defra.gov.uk/eudp-evidence-and-analysis/uk-eu-sps-agreement-call-for-information/
