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Food standards petition

Do you want the food you eat to continue to be produced to the world leading standards you’ve come to expect, even in the toughest global circumstances?

The UK Government has the opportunity right now to put into law rules that prevent food being imported to the UK which is produced in ways that would be illegal here.

Here at Countryside we champion food, farming and rural life, supporting the farming families who are proud to produce our nation's tasty, high quality and affordable food. But they're only able to do this if they can compete fairly with the rest of world. Sign our food standards petition and ask the UK Government to ensure all food imports are produced to the same high standards as British farmers.

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Our journey so far

Find out how our food standards petition is progressing, what action we've taken and how many signatures we've collected so far.

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Why do we need a Trade, Food and Farming Standards Commission?

Find out how a UK Food Standards Commission would ensure that food imports would meet high standards of production, environmental protection and animal welfare.

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Last edited: 18 June 2020 at 12:00

Have your say

116 comments

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Pamela Bruce Lockhart - 26/10/2020 11:17:42

What do we think we're doing? We should be increasing standards, not decreasing them. Put animals and people first.

William Deluce - 21/10/2020 13:05:05

For goodness sake, don’t buy any American produce. American Food Standards are far less than the UK’s and that is why a lot of Americans are Vegans. Protect your children’s health and ALWAYS buy British produce. Please.

Paul Burns - 06/07/2020 13:41:40

I know several US Americans Who are vegetarians in the US due to the poor standards of the meat but not when they come to Europe

Delia Brotherton - 02/07/2020 11:41:51

I live in Cornwall and we are suffering from the impact of Coronoavirus, mostly because the unsustainable, low paid, seasonal jobs associated with tourism have melted away for the time being. The sooner that proper well paid, full time jobs once again become part of Cornwall's economy the better, and farming and food production can play a big part in that revival. Cornish farmers need our support especially in the essential move away from industrial scale animal production which is not the way forward. Quality, not quantity, is the key.

Phil Rounds - 01/07/2020 17:32:06

Can we come back? :P

MARTIN NASH - 19/06/2020 20:26:10

It is not right for the general public to have to put up with sub standard food & it is not fair on our food producers to carry on with all the extra expense producing to our standards then have foreign producers, who do not have that extra expense competing with us.

John Raw - 19/06/2020 07:08:37

We jump through hoops to be 'Red Tractored'! Highest Welfare Standards in the Word. Record everything, test everything, sheds swabbed, birds salmonella tested twice, production reports, windows, perches, play things and cannot sell our produce if we are not assured! We are going to be completely 'sold down the river'! Or can't I say that anymore?

John Jenkins - 18/06/2020 11:04:20

I'm sorry but many farmers supported Brexit, while we were shouting about the EU standards being lost and that this would happen. We will all try our best to buy British, but I fear that those farmers who supported Brexit wanted to be free of those regulations and will adopt some of the practices from the US. The problem with the US is minimal labelling, so people will just see a cheaper price and not the reasons that cheaper price exists. Its very sad but the Conservative government does not care about food or husbandry standards, just the neoliberal project to allow the free market to do what it wants at any cost, including our health, animal welfare and environmental protection.

ALTA - 16/06/2020 16:00:01

SHOP LOCAL

Neil mitchell - 15/06/2020 20:39:51

buy Scottish/British buy local

Isobel Downie - 15/06/2020 10:00:06

Always buy Scottish/British food, meat etc. We do not need our wonderful foods doctored in anyway.

Sally Hawkins - 15/06/2020 07:49:29

Now more than ever we need to be more self - sufficient. Also UK farmers have worked so hard to improve standards and the quality of the food they produce it would be a tragedy if that was replaced by poor quality and cheap.

Ben Harrington - 15/06/2020 07:43:05

I support British high welfare standards. Nothing less.

Barbara Spalek - 14/06/2020 15:42:34

Yet another mismanaged issue by this government

Duncan Lawson - 14/06/2020 07:54:33

All imported goods should meet\comply with British standards.Support British farmers and fishermen

Janet Campbell - 13/06/2020 18:49:57

Stay healthy by eating only British farmed & grown foods.

Mrs Pauline Rodden - 13/06/2020 18:14:34

British farmers work damn hard to keep our produce to meet the high standards that we have. We have the one of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world and no less is acceptable!!!

Brenda King - 13/06/2020 15:12:48

Stabbing farmers and the people of this country in the back will never be forgiven. It will be remembered at the next election.

Revd Alan Griggs - 13/06/2020 15:08:21

Farmers know how to adapt in the face of uncertainty, but to undermine food, welfare, and environmental standards will pull the rug from under them. Farmers deserve our support given the numerous challenges they already face.

Victoria Brown - 13/06/2020 10:11:21

Food standards, workers rights and animal welfare. Keep the bar high.

Fiona Playfair - 11/06/2020 17:09:43

Buy British , guaranteed quality and save on food miles

Margaret Easton - 11/06/2020 09:48:16

Our Farmers are the Backbone of our country producing food for us all to the highest standards asked for by this country's regulations.It is wrong that our Farmers have invested their time and money to adhere to our strict regulations yet our Government is considering importing inferior food is an absolute insult to our hard working farmers.

Chris Wilkinson - 11/06/2020 08:15:53

US beef cattle are routinely injected with hormonal growth promoters in the feedlots where low welfare standards are at a level unacceptable in uk . Hormonal growth promoters were banned in uk 30 plus years ago Chicken is washed with chlorine to remove bacteria which develop due to poor hygiene standards as the birds grow and at slaughter . The USA has a massive backlog of animals of all species as several large meat plants have been closed due to COVID 19 outbreaks amongst the staff If these products are allowed into uk they will never be labelled correctly. Hope our Government listens . Not good at that , more interested in keeping inflation down with cheap food

Anthony Poulsom - 10/06/2020 19:41:59

Please support British Farming

Amanda Matthews - 10/06/2020 17:23:40

British farmers work damn hard to keep our produce to meet the high standards that we have. We have the one of the highest standards of animal welfare in the world and no less is acceptable!!!

Liz Gray - 10/06/2020 14:43:21

We need to support our own industry & give farmers & fishermen the right to be able to earn a living feeding our own country first, then export any surplus. The government has to be seen to promote UK produced food over any other. I don’t want to see our fields devoid of livestock or countless lorries leaving our shores packed to the gunnels with the very best of seafood and we not being able to buy good quality ethically & sustainably produced food. Promote British food along with the supermarkets that sell mainly British produce not cheaper substandard imported produce

Jez Bramblepigs - 10/06/2020 12:28:53

The choice is stark - US or EU. Brexit and a US trade Deal is a planned disruption by the anti-state Conservatives. This is what happens when we think we can thrive on our own. We can't survive without a US deal if we Brexit. Even the Democrats would protect Ireland first and wave this one through, but require us to leave the EU. I breed Tamworth pigs for local consumption and work in agri-environment and with a fair chunk of the farming community. I support any efforts to thwart this Govt's approach to reducing food standards and ripping up regulation. Sounds great doesn't it, but many have been duped.

Karen - 10/06/2020 10:55:36

British food is best! Farmers deserve to be treated with respect and gratitude! We managed in the 60’s & 70’s perfectly well, eating in season produce Produced healthily at home.

Lynn Crombie - 10/06/2020 10:15:07

This government is reneging in its promise of not reducing food standards. We have to stop them or every regulation that keeps us safe will be dropped. They have lied to us and broken their manifesto guarantees

Gillian Hall - 09/06/2020 23:23:59

We have little or no leverage against the US and once they have all they want in this trade deal our environment, food standards, and public health will be permanently damaged. British farmers will be ruined by a flood of cheap, inferior and potentially unsafe US produce.

Andrew Munro - 09/06/2020 18:33:29

I am very disappointed in the government's decision to allow food produced by questionable methods to enter the UK.

Theresa - 09/06/2020 08:53:37

Always buy British . No chlorine chickens

Theresa - 09/06/2020 08:52:52

Always buy British . No chlorine chickens

Barbara Manackjee - 09/06/2020 08:07:28

I buy British and organic whenever possible and fruits and vegetables in season rather than "airmiles" fruit & vegetables which often goes off before you have a chance to eat it. I most certainly do not want chlorinated chicken or any other produce tampered in this way.

Andy Roe.. - 09/06/2020 06:41:21

The British Farming community has not missed a beat during the C19 pandemic..!! Supporting the British food industry is the very least the Government should be doing for this community... AR

Deborah Birkett - 08/06/2020 22:31:13

Surely common sense must prevail?

Declan - 08/06/2020 22:14:34

i feel its important for people to support our British farmers and buy British food

Heather Taylor - 08/06/2020 21:55:38

As a Farmer's daughter of many many Generations ,it's so important for the British Farmers to stand a chance an.Our Farmers produce excellent quality products and disserve their products to b sold at good prices for them,we as a country will benefit from excellent quality food and ourfarmers family's disearve a good price for their very challenging and hard work .Many Thanks. Regards Heather Taylor

Jenny Baillie - 08/06/2020 17:04:46

British Farmers have worked over decades to ensure their procedures result in the highest standards for food production and the environment - and this is how they're potentially going to be repaid for their hard work?!

Kevin Sexton - 08/06/2020 13:51:57

We have enough problems trying to find a vaccine and treatment drugs for Covid, without having to eat imported foodstuffs full of hormones and antibiotics. Have these foreign food producers not heard that antiobiotic resistance is increasing drastically? (Incidentally, this is yet another argument for having a comprehensive trade deal with the EU, or even for not leaving at all - but that is a separate issue.)

Paul Cantoni - 08/06/2020 11:18:28

The many farmers who voted for Brexit (or rather those who are misguided enough still to think it's a good idea) really don't deserve sympathy- but this petition does!

Alan Jones - 08/06/2020 11:07:24

American food standards are just not safe. Think!

jenny teall - 08/06/2020 09:54:07

whatever the circumstances, there is no way we should be expected to accept chemically enhanced food to enable the suppliers to make a larger profit. Food is a basic need and must be produced and marketed in the most wholesome and healthy way possible.This includes the animals as well as the people who produce it (preferably in Britain)

Katrina Wilson - 08/06/2020 08:31:52

Let’s be the best producer in the world by keeping our standards higher than the rest. Animal welfare and land welfare are so important. Let’s not let standards drop. Remember CJD? Support our local farmers, buy local. Save those air miles. We don’t want ???? chlorinated chicken.

John Turner - 08/06/2020 06:54:12

We have a duty to protect our welfare standards and to ensure animals under our care live in the best conditions possible. Our farmers work to the world's highest standards, let's keep it that way

Joan Duncan - 07/06/2020 16:49:40

I only buy locally produced meat, fish & poultry. I buy from my local butcher & all my fish is bought in Arbroath. From sea & land to plate. Customers pay a premium to buy Scottish beef, lamb & pork. Why on earth would we lower our food standards which will put our farmers & producers livelihoods in grave jeopardy & endanger the health of our population? A US trade deal will damage our home industry. It’s madness! Remember the phrase America first! What kind of government have we elected?

Chris - 07/06/2020 13:59:40

I don't think all farmers who voted for Brexit were deceived. The info was out there. Farming is way up there in terms of importance to me.There are plenty of younger folk who want to farm but lack opportunities.I want them to have a future ,regardless of their background.Not put out of business by the very party that drivels on about caring for Britain's countryside.

Wendy Timberlake - 07/06/2020 12:30:01

I will continue to buy British and will favour products marked as supporting British farmers and growers sold by the supermarkets. I can't believe the government is considering to compromise on the food and welfare standards. This government appears unconcerned for the UK's future food security and welfare of the stock farmed in our countries. We have a tradition of being good custodians of our countryside and farmed land, lets not become complacent with our responsibilities so the 'few' can make a fast buck from selling trash food to the 'many'. It's time to support the traditional and novel crops produced by our farmers and find sustainable and affordable ways of ensuring that farming can be done to the highest standards for many generations to come.

Muriel Calder - 07/06/2020 12:30:00

We have a local butcher who breeds chickens, pigs and boar. This is what we need to support and promote. Inferior products from badly treated US animals should not be allowed into the UK. The carbon footprint to bring the products here is another reason to put a halt on this.

David Roach - 07/06/2020 11:49:53

Support our hardworking farmers...for hundreds of years they have supported us...let the government know how much we care for our farmers and countryside.

Josie Foster - 07/06/2020 10:15:46

I have worked in compliance and standards maintenance in the food industry in the UK for over 20 years. I am proud of the part I play in ensuring the food we eat is safe, wholesome, traceable and sustainable, and was awarded Fellowship of the Institute of Food Science and Technology in recognition of my contribution. It would break my heart to see standards eroded and the hard work of everyone in improving the UK food supply chain be for nothing.

Mel Jones - 07/06/2020 09:34:39

Many farmers were lied to with respect to Brexit. It is time now that the NFU and farmers become vocal on social media and/or write to MPs to come out and pressure the government to do the right thing. Are you willing to do this?

Prof. Srinivasa Kunuthur - 07/06/2020 09:33:02

Whatever food we eat, should be produced from uncontaminated land, water and air in any part of the world. Then only, it is possible to lead perfectly a healthy, happy, peaceful, progressive and prosperous life in the world. Substandard food is a slow poison which endangers health and wellness.

Karma Brown - 07/06/2020 08:14:50

Brexit & a lying shameful cabinet are already going back on promises on just about everything allowing the US low standards of farming & animal welfare in the back door - Who is surprised I can hold my head high I didnt fall for the lies but will do what I can to support British & EU farming & animal welfare standards

Foy - 07/06/2020 06:47:21

Once again the UK's two faced Government are about to do a U turn on their election promises and lower food production standards for the sake of corporate deals with the US.and to hell with the consequences for UK consumers and farmers. We must act now to prevent such deals going ahead.

Jac Denson - 06/06/2020 23:13:38

I would like to see meat labelled with the country,county,farm where produced, but also the breed of the animal from which it came.

Rob Phillips - 06/06/2020 23:07:17

We were told by the Brexit advocates in 2016 that food production standards would not be reduced if the country voted to leave the EU. We were also given assurances that the food we bought in our shops would be of the same high standard as that sold in 2016. Those undertakings/referendum promises given to the British people MUST be adhered to.

Susie Lidstone - 06/06/2020 19:50:07

Always try to buy British and support our local farmers

Janette Smith - 06/06/2020 16:18:57

Since lockdown I have begun to buy all dairy and meat via local farming. I have realised that the quality of the produce means there is no going back for my family.

John - 06/06/2020 16:05:36

We already imported inferior goods before brexit,just use common sense and buy british when ever possible!

Jeanne Speed - 06/06/2020 16:00:32

British is best! Buy British every time!

Elizabeth Tully - 06/06/2020 15:50:19

Always buy British

Alison - 06/06/2020 14:07:34

Support our British farmers - our high standards of food production need to remain. Food sourced in the U.K. is so much better for us and the environment.

Linda Johns - 06/06/2020 11:02:00

We have purchased organic food, the majority produced within the U.K. to the highest standards, since 2017. There is no rational excuse for importing food which is cheap, poor quality, reared inhumanely and unhygienically, when such food is available. People say they cannot afford to buy like we do. Rubbish. We can make a British organic chicken do eight meals and there is no logic in their reasoning. We want British farms to be able to use creative, humane and rewilding methods to produce food which is organic where possible, or as uncontaminated as possible with chemicals. This is our chance. Government have sold us down the river.

Nigel Strang - 06/06/2020 10:42:40

Food is a basic human need. There is a moral imperative to ensure our health and well-being is secured by and on the quality of food we produce in Britain and import from around the world. As world leaders in the quality of food produced we can and should promote the highest standards, ever mindful that humanity is entrusted with the responsibility of taking care of this planet / home.

Penny - 06/06/2020 08:26:16

I am hoping that if any chlorinated chicken does make its way into our supermarkets that it will be clearly marked as to its origin, that is, the USA, & that way we can all Not Buy It & not fall for chlorinated industrialised farmed chicken just because its cheaper. Those US Farmers need to wake up to what people really really want!!!!

Eddie Chick - 06/06/2020 01:55:06

To ensure your food comes from the required source you need to be inquisitive. Ask the questions and buy from as local and responsible as possible.

Sharon Wilkins - 06/06/2020 00:46:33

Still too many people ignorant of what a no deal Brexit and trade deals with the USA will do to Britsh farmers. We need to do more to communicate the realities of what this will mean for everyone and raise the profile of this petition.

Michael HC - 06/06/2020 00:19:58

we need to hold on to the highest food standards + even improve animal welfare - bowing to US pressure would be another huge mistake

Paul - 05/06/2020 19:23:22

Use your butcher,, they will be using locally produced meat.

Christine Ash - 05/06/2020 18:36:35

We need to confidently be able to supply our customers with the highest good standards that the UK farmers adhere to not cheap imports not produced to the same standards. We need the UK farmers to be listened to.

Veronica - 05/06/2020 18:14:37

I back your cause, but what a shame so many UK farmers voted for Brexit

ANNE SCOTT - 05/06/2020 17:18:52

Support our British farmers

Julia Reay - 05/06/2020 17:10:48

I always buy food from British farmers and we buy mainly organic. Organic meat is more expensive but doesnt shrink because it's not full of water. It tastes better and goes further which makes it good value. An organic chicken will feed two people for three meals plus soup! I do not want loads of additives. Let's do our best to support our farmers and stop these horrible dangerous imports before they arrive and pollute our food chain.

Deborah Norman - 05/06/2020 17:01:42

Farmers in the UK work hard to steward our countryside and meet justifiably stringent guidelines with regard to treatment of animals and crops. They deserve our recognition.

Fiona alexander - 05/06/2020 16:39:30

I buy locally, from people I trust, and who can tell me, in detail, about the origins of the food I buy. To have inferior products infiltrating the food chain - WITHOUT SAYING WHERE IT IS FROM, is something we should fight. It will damage our farmers, and other food producers.

ML Zhang - 05/06/2020 15:46:57

American agro products are welcome to come to the UK only if thwy can meet the standard here.

Ray Hepburn - 05/06/2020 15:17:39

Let's all but our own food, foster jobs and retain the standards

Pam Thompson - 05/06/2020 15:07:44

I voted for Brexit, mainly to support British farmers and British fishermen and I definitely don’t want to eat imported meat which has been treated in any way with chemicals. We have standards and we need others to keep those standards

Gerry - 05/06/2020 14:18:25

Happy to support British farmers, but maybe now you can see the duplicitous nature of your Tory overlords. So much for project fear.....

Noel Wade - 05/06/2020 13:29:19

Our local MP Alex Stafford a Conservative voted against the bill to protect food standards, why? Buy British!

Judith Parker - 05/06/2020 12:54:49

Farmers markets, organic, don’t eat supermarket ready meals anyway and no I’m not rich, I’m barely on the real living wage, every penny counts but my health and the well being of animals count more

Malcolm Harrison - 05/06/2020 12:53:06

Never let any food enter the UK that is not to the high standards that our own farmers and growers adhere to. To do so is to risk our health and insult our farmers.

Kathleen Ramm - 05/06/2020 12:46:22

We must support our British farmers at every opportunity. They are the best, by far.

Lowell Mills - 05/06/2020 12:45:59

We need a deal with the EU, who share our high standards of food production. We need whatever replaces the EU Common Agricultural Policy to pay well to those who improve the environment. We need to avoid a trade deal with US that forces standards and labelling down.

Caroline Sheltonyou - 05/06/2020 12:38:45

You have my signature, but I hope that those farmers who voted for for the UK to leave the EU in 2016 will support all efforts to rejoin the EU in years to come.

MS JAY TOPAZ - 05/06/2020 12:17:30

I want my children and grandchildren to have the choice of quality, safe food to eat

Dr Colin Bradley - 05/06/2020 08:29:15

High food standards is not just about heath, but also a matter of morality: animal welfare and the welfare of the earth. The present government said environmental standards would rise after brexit, not fall. It seems yet again they have lied to us.

Zaheer - 05/06/2020 06:47:57

I don’t understand why this issue of sub standard imported food standard is not being championed by more opposition MPs?...

Jane Smith - 04/06/2020 22:55:35

We produce beef cattle and lamb in Scotland. We work hard to ensure our livestock are well cared for and the end product is of the highest quality. The government needs to support this high quality product and not permit sub standard produce to be imported into this country. Back British farmers

Nick Sharpe - 04/06/2020 21:31:57

Always buy locally sourced food as quality its is of the highest standards.

stuart budd - 04/06/2020 20:50:14

The EU is refusing to lower food standards and quality with their negotiations with the US. The UK is however going to lower standards with their negotiations with the US. The UK government are not being patriotic to British farmers and instead backing Trump.

Keith Samuels - 04/06/2020 19:17:12

We Have to Support British Farmers ,As when this Pandemic is over we still have the problems of Brexit for British Farmers to put up with so show your support please.

Nigel Cummings - 04/06/2020 19:02:35

Support your local farmers, say no to potentially contaminated meatd processed the American way. Buy organic if possible, refuse imported food goods from America, the food hygiene standards there are very poor.

Sandra hughes - 04/06/2020 16:11:35

I buy british were i can and always have my grandad was a farmer and most of my family before him,I don't want chlorine chickens etc

Mary O’Dornan - 04/06/2020 13:42:34

The reality is hitting in now and this is only the start. We are all going to have to pay the price for the Brexit fiasco.

Rose Shillito - 04/06/2020 07:57:08

Support our farmers. Some of them voted Leave because they were promised the best deal, the easiest deal ever and all sorts of benefits. In short, they were deceived. It’s in all our interests to keep food standards high. Please lobby your MPs to reverse the recent bill passed allowing lower food standards.

Jennifer Chandler - 04/06/2020 07:24:41

So sad that so many farmers voted for Brexit - what were they thinking? And yes to supporting high welfare, sustainable farming.

Wendy - 03/06/2020 09:15:08

Support our farmers and growers and insist we stick to the highest standard for food and environment

Lynn Jackson - 03/06/2020 07:30:54

Even if this petition is successful it is also essential that labelling clearly states where the food was produced, not just packaged. Unfortunately any deal with the US is likely to prevent Thais.

Sally Evans - 02/06/2020 18:29:37

If we don't support our food producers, we are acting irresponsibly and adding to the problem.

Traycie Saunders - 02/06/2020 18:23:38

Buy British. Buy local if you can. Know where your food comes from. Trust and look after our farmers.

Ed Rowell - 02/06/2020 15:50:25

Always buy British!

edward shaw - 01/06/2020 20:29:22

The people who voted leave have landed us in this mess. It was foreseen by us Remainers.

Georgina Denton - 01/06/2020 20:00:51

Support our farmers and the high quality food we get from them

Jackie Scuri - 01/06/2020 18:11:41

I always buy british when I can and support locals farm shops and butchers where I live.

Bridgett Gray - 01/06/2020 14:34:21

Back our Farmers! Always!

Marilyn Willis - 01/06/2020 12:23:14

It's so important we back British farmers and keep food quality and safety standards high. We're still in the middle of a world wide pandemic started from a lack of standards in China which appears still in many other countries.

Heather Watts - 01/06/2020 11:50:53

Should just like to say, in the 2016 Referendum, farmers voted for Brexit, did they not? At least, those in my area did, while I and many others campaigned to remain in the EU, to maintain, inter alia, our excellent food standards. I have signed the petition but feel it's a little rich now asking for our support when they voted for something completely senseless - and as is proving to be - dangerous.

Charlie - 31/05/2020 20:11:22

Always support British farmers. Purchase locally sourced meat and veg and support farmers markets and small independent shops

Toby Frank - 31/05/2020 18:46:39

Don’t water down the high standards the British agricultural industry has risen too.

Liz Webster - 31/05/2020 17:58:00

More need to be done to defend British food producers. This government doesn’t care about farming and it gives false assurances to placate dissent.

hilda owens - 31/05/2020 15:41:52

Geoffrey Plumb - 31/05/2020 12:00:46

We must not let below standards into the UK for whatever reason. It is not a bargaining tool it is people’s health.

P Appleby - 24/05/2020 12:25:24

British governments of any hue must back British farming and food security rather than subserve national and social interests to low standard, low cost (to the retail industry), globalist economic orthodoxy. Government and establishment obsession with global market primacy has the one goal of promoting corporate interests, which has proven to be detrimental to national social, cultural and health concerns - lowering of animal welfare standards and crashing bee populations being examples of a permissive attitude to corporate interests and a profit at any cost mentality.

Peta Lewis - 19/03/2020 16:59:03

Backing British farmers in every way I can!