Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Steve Reed said:

“Today the Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and I celebrate the landmark economic deal secured between our great countries.

“The deal will protect Britain’s farmers and secure our food security. For the first time ever, UK beef farmers will have exclusive access to the world’s largest consumer market.

“We have always been clear that this Government will protect British farmers and uphold our high animal welfare and environmental standards. That is exactly what we have done.

“I look forward to building on our partnership and cooperation across agriculture and biosecurity in the decades to come.” 

Background

• This government will always act in the national interest to protect Britian’s farmers and secure our food security. We have said we will uphold the highest agricultural standards and that is exactly what this deal does. 
• Imports of hormone-treated beef or chlorinated chicken will remain illegal. The deal we’ve signed will protect British farmers and uphold our high animal welfare and environmental standards. Any agricultural imports coming into the UK will have to meet our high food (SPS) standards.  
• For the first time ever, this deal will open exclusive access for UK beef farmers to the US market. Currently only a few other countries, like Australia, enjoy this access. This is a major opportunity for British farmers to increase their exports to the world's largest consumer market, helping them to grow their businesses. 
• This comes alongside a landmark trade deal with India which is a major boost for our world-class food and drink industry and protects our most sensitive agricultural sectors. British farmers and producers of lamb, salmon, whisky and gin can now benefit from lower tariffs into one of the world's fastest-growing markets.