Lack of legally binding core standards for UK trade putting climate and environmental goals at risk

The UK Government must establish a set of Core Environmental Standards (CES) in law that would apply to food imported from overseas based on similar standards that apply to UK farmers or risk undermining the transition to sustainable farming, says a new report by WWF. 

The new report, Setting the Standard: Advancing the Case for Core Environmental Standards for the UK,  provides a framework for setting minimum environmental benchmarks for imports, exploring important considerations such as implementation, flexibility and compliance with international trade law. 

Without these standards, UK trade agreements risk incentivising harmful environmental practices overseas by offering zero tariff, zero quota market access for food produced in ways which would be illegal in the UK.  

This risks increasing the UK’s environmental footprint and delaying the transition to sustainable farming both at home and overseas, undermining UK farmers and the Government’s own policy efforts to transition to sustainable agriculture. 

Developing a resilient and sustainable food system is crucial to feeding a growing population while also reversing biodiversity loss. The agriculture discussions at COP27 also showed that our food system needs to transform in response to the climate crisis. Core standards would be a major step in that direction. 

Angela Francis, Director of Policy Solutions at WWF-UK, said:  “The UK has the opportunity to use its new powers as an independent trading nation to align its trade and environmental objectives but, instead, it has opened up access to UK’s lucrative food market to global environmental laggards, undermining those UK producers,  who already doing the right thing for climate and nature."

“The UK Government could still fix this by setting national core standards, including environmental standards, for all foods sold here. That would show that the Government is serious about delivering on its climate and nature promises, safeguarding the high standards UK farmers are already required to meet and UK consumers really value."

“Setting those standards would also ensure UK demand is supporting the shift to safer, more sustainable food production and cutting our impact on precious landscapes elsewhere in the world.” 

Currently, UK farmers comply with various legal requirements to protect animal welfare and protect soils, habitats and water quality.  Core standards would be based on those in existing UK legislation and regulation and would apply across the board to all of UK trade, whether under a trade deal or not, ensuring that they act equitably and without discrimination to all the UK’s trading partners. 

Angela Francis continued:  “The climate and nature crisis threatens our food system and security, exposing UK consumers to more volatile prices and fuelling cost of living pressures. We need to take action now to support those farmers, both at home and overseas, who are working hard to develop resilient and sustainable farming that provides nutritious food for all.”

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