Cheap, imported food would be the greatest threat to animal welfare standards post-Brexit, the report concludes.

Report warns poor-quality food could undermine British farmers

Farmers competing with cheap imports after Brexit is the greatest threat to farm animal welfare standards, a new report has found.

The Brexit: Farm Animal Welfare report was published by The House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee on Tuesday (25 July).

In it, the authors conclude that the greatest threat to animal welfare standards post-Brexit ‘would come from UK farmers competing against cheap, imported food from countries that produce to lower standards than the UK.’

The Sub-Committee is now calling on the government to “secure the inclusion of high farm animal welfare standards in any free trade agreements it negotiates after Brexit.”

Lord Teverson, chair of the EU energy and environment sub-committee, said: "Whilst Brexit provides the UK with the unique opportunity to review and potentially improve farm animal welfare standards, the Government will need to consider the effect of increasing standards on the competitiveness of UK producers as well the future trading relationship with the EU.”

The report comes as controversy increases over standards of food following Britain's exit from the European Union.

On Monday (24 July), trade secretary Liam Fox reportedly suggested that a ban on chlorine-washed chicken could be lifted post-Brexit to secure a trade deal with the US.

The practice was banned in the EU in 1997 over safety concerns and fears it could lead to lower hygiene practices elsewhere in the supply chain.

The committee warns: “The demand for high-welfare products is ultimately driven by whether consumers prioritise purchasing those products, at added cost, rather than buying cheaper, lower-welfare products.”

The report concludes: "It may be hard to reconcile the Government’s wish for the UK to become a global leader in free trade with its desire to maintain high-quality standards for agri-food products Brexit: farm animal welfare within the UK."