Tory-Trump deal 'threatens Highland food industry'

SNP MSP for Highlands & Islands Maree Todd, has renewed calls for the Tory government to remove the threat of lower food standards in any future trade deal.

Ms Todd's appeal comes after a poll found that 83 per cent of Scots are against US-style hormone-fed chicken entering the UK market.

The latest polling from YouGov has also revealed that 80 per cent of Scots consumers are also against US demands such as imports of chloride washed chicken, 81 per cent are against imports of vegetables grown with EU-banned pesticides and 90 per cent say we shouldn’t remove the labels showing origin of meat products.

Local products are also at risk from cheap, sub-standard imports with the Tories so far refusing to ensure geographically limited produce will protected in a US trade deal, the MSP contends

“It’s absolutely clear that the overwhelming majority of people in Scotland do not want to see chlorine chicken, hormone-injected meat or vegetables riddled in pesticides on our supermarket shelves," Ms Todd stressed.

“The threat to our local food and drink industry, here in the Highlands, from a Tory-Trump trade deal is growing by the day as the US ramps up its demands to flood the UK market with lower standard imports.

“Once again Scotland is an afterthought for the Tories, as the interests of Scottish farmers and producers are being sacrificed so Boris Johnson can pander to the demands of Donald Trump.

“Enough is enough – the UK Tory government needs to enshrine in law that Scotland’s world-class food and drink sector will be protected.”

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