The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health has revised recommendations made by the International Trade Committee (ITC) on the UK-Australian trade deal, warning that British food standards remain at risk.

The trade deal marks the first UK FTA with a partner without a pre-existing FTA operating with the EU, or the Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU itself.

In its report, the ITC said that there a discrepancy with tariffs between the UK and Australia, with Australia’s tariff in 2019 being 2.3%, whereas the equivalent UK figure was 8.3%. It added that Australia is not “a major market for UK exports of primary and semi-processed agri-food products.”

Standards weakened 

Revising the ITC report, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) claims that the UK and Australia FTA will result in lowering food standards in the UK, potentially placing consumers at risk. 

The CIEH is urging the government “to change course” and to recognise the importance regulatory frameworks play in maintaining high standards of public health.

Head of policy and campaigns for CIEH Ross Matthewman said: “Despite consistent assurances from a string of Environmental Secretaries to the contrary, it appears that our concerns that food and animal welfare standards would be threatened in the pursuit of trade deals have been realised.

“The recent report from the International Trade Committee is yet another concerning confirmation that this government is embarking upon a course of action that will see the weakening of vital regulatory frameworks designed to maintain good public health.”

He also expressed his concern regarding the recently tabled Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill, saying that legislation “threatens public health.” 

Matthewman explained: “We have already expressed our concern that the recently tabled Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill is a regressive deregulatory step that threatens public health and are concerned that as the government embarks upon future free-trade agreements, we will continue to see regulatory standards weakened.”

He added that there were “serious questions” on how importing cheaper food from the other side of the world will impact the UK’s food security or sustainability.