Rollins calls UK-US ethanol deal a ‘win-win’

US president Donald Trump’s UK state visit has sparked concern in British agriculture, as US pressure to boost food and bioethanol exports raises fears of lasting damage to UK farming and fuel sectors.

Travelling with the presidential delegation, US agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins described her meeting with UK leaders at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday 16 September as “productive”.

She added that she had “especially enjoyed” connecting with newly appointed Defra secretary Emma Reynolds.

See also: Is Trump’s fondness for US farmers truly reciprocal?

The pair were pictured smiling and shaking hands outside No10.

Writing on X, Ms Rollins said the US and UK are “trusted partners”, adding that they are “working to support the UK’s energy needs while opening new doors for America’s farmers and producers”.

Productive meeting with UK leaders today at @10DowningStreet, and especially enjoyed connecting with my newly appointed counterpart, Emma Reynolds. 🇬🇧🇺🇸

The US and UK are trusted partners, and together we’re working to support the UK’s energy needs while opening new doors for… pic.twitter.com/hRws13N5Gd

— Secretary Brooke Rollins (@SecRollins) September 16, 2025

Ms Rollins called the expansion of American ethanol supply, including moving from E10 to E15 fuel blends, and the push for sustainable fuel options a “win‑win”.

She asserted the deal delivers “affordable energy for UK families and bigger markets for US farmers and producers.” She stressed: “Farmers FIRST, always.”

Fears for domestic producers

However, many in the UK’s agriculture, bioethanol and trade sectors are distraught by being taken out by the US ethanol deal.

Producers warn that the removal of the previous 19% tariff on US ethanol imports – part of the UK-US trade deal negotiated with the Trump administration – severely undercuts domestic bioethanol producers.

The ramifications for the UK’s two major bioethanol plants – Ensus on Teesside and Vivergo Fuels in Hull – have been enormous.

Vivergo has closed for production and Ensus remains in emergency talks with the UK to get a financial package for survival.

Both rely heavily on UK-grown wheat, supply domestic animal feed and carbon dioxide to the food sector, and are viewed as critical to the UK’s net zero and energy security strategies.

Broader access

Ms Rollins and US trade officials are also understood to be pressing for broader access to the UK market for US food products – many of which are currently restricted by UK food safety, labelling, and animal welfare laws.

Chlorinated poultry and hormone-treated beef remain banned in the UK, but American producers argue these restrictions are “non-tariff barriers” to fair trade.

However, the UK government has repeatedly insisted that these remain “red lines” in any trade negotiations, emphasising that British food safety and animal welfare standards will not be compromised.

Joint letter

Ahead of Mr Trump’s state visit, the NFU and Dairy UK wrote a joint letter to prime minister Sir Keir Starmer urging the UK government to resist pressure from the US to open up the UK’s food and drink market further in trade talks.

They warn that doing so could destabilise UK dairy farming by undermining food security, weakening standards, and harming the profitability of many farms.

Their joint letter is backed by a new NFU report that highlights key differences between UK and US dairy systems on scale, welfare, environmental requirements, and regulatory regimes.

NFU Dairy Board chairman Paul Tompkins said: “Farmers in the US operate under very different constraints. US dairy is produced on a vast scale under different regulatory regimes.

“Increased access for food imports which are not produced to the same high standards as we adhere to will not only erode the confidence of the public but will put UK dairy farming businesses at a competitive disadvantage.”

Threat of lower-standard US imports

Liz Webster, founder of the Save British Farming (SBF) campaign group, warned that Brexit was always going to pave the way for an American trade deal that would harm UK agriculture.

She compared this with agreeing to a “tsunami of cheap imports that would wipe out the majority of British farms”.

She said: “British agriculture cannot compete with US agriculture, which is heavily subsidised. They have lower standards and more space and better weather.

“History shows that British farmers cannot compete against American farmers as the 1846 repeal of the corn laws saw self-sufficiency drop to below 30% and the worst agricultural depression on record.”

Farmer members of SBF are travelling to Westminster, London, today.

They are appealing to the UK government to protect British faming’s high standards and to oppose the cheap imports of chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef which they say would be a disaster for British farming, public health and food security.

Two tractors will be driven from Sussex and they will be displayed on either side of a stage in Parliament Square, with large banners calling to “Save British Farming from chlorinated chicken”.

Young farmer and historian Oli Fletcher, who farms in Leicestershire and runs the YouTube channel Farming Explained, will be speaking at about 5.30pm.  

As Mr Trump meets the prime minister for talks at Chequers today, farmers, farming organisations, and trade bodies will be watching closely for any signs of progress on future UK-US trade ties.