NPA calls for clarity on animal welfare in US trade deal

The National Pig Association (NPA) has called for urgent clarification from ministers over whether UK animal welfare standards will be protected in ongoing UK-US trade talks, as discussions intensify.

The NPA’s concerns were set out in a letter from chairman Rob Mutimer to trade minister Douglas Alexander, warning that failure to recognise the differences in welfare standards between the two nations would be “a betrayal to British farmers”.

See also: Urgent call to address animal welfare in UK trade deals

Talks are taking place in the context of US pressure to lift restrictions on its food exports.

President Donald Trump’s global tariff policy has added further urgency, with the US seeking greater access to UK markets.

However, UK ministers, including chancellor Rachel Reeves, have insisted that food safety standards and the UK’s Sanitary and Phytosanitary regime remain “a red line”.

Mr Mutimer welcomed these assurances, but requested further details on how welfare standards would be safeguarded in any agreement.

“We feel this leaves a significant gap in terms of the methods of production that are acceptable in the US, particularly on animal welfare, compared to the UK,” he said.

He cited sow stalls as a key example.

“Not only has their use been banned in the UK since 1999, but the British pig industry has also significantly reduced its antibiotics use – 69% since 2015, with an ongoing commitment to reduce this further.”

He stressed that the cost of UK production is already higher due to these measures.

“As part of the deal currently being negotiated with the US… we strongly urge the government to ensure that this difference in animal welfare standards and methods of production is recognised.”

Mr Mutimer added that the NPA supports international trade in principle, but “it is vital that this is done in such a way that protects the UK’s high production standards”.

A recent report released jointly by Animal Policy International, Compassion in World Farming, and the RSPCA reveals 95% of the UK’s 88 current or potential trading partners have lower farmed animal welfare standards.

The report warns this could worsen unless urgent legislative action is taken.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw echoed the NPA warning.

“Ministers must uphold their commitments and ensure that food that would be illegal to produce here… is not granted access to our market,” he said in a statement.