The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has decided to postpone its food standards rally in London amid concerns over the spread of novel coronavirus (Covid-19).
The rally was planned to take place on March 25 and would have seen hundreds of farmers gather in London urging the Government to promise that future UK trade policy will not allow imports of food produced to standards that would be illegal here.
A new date for the rally has not yet been confirmed.
NFU president Minette Batters said: “In light of the current coronavirus situation, we have taken the decision to postpone our mass rally. We have taken this decision now because of the continued uncertainty regarding the spread of the disease and the size and nature of this particular event.
While necessary, this is, of course, disappointing news. Our intention is to set another date for the event soon and details of this will follow when they are available.
“However, farmers and the public can rest assured that our campaign to ensure that our standards of food production are not undermined in future trade deals continues.”
15,000 sign NFU petition
The news comes as the union revealed more than 15,000 people have signed a petition, launched at NFU Conference, calling on the Government to commit in law that British food standards will not be undermined in future trade deals.
Members of the public have pledged their support for British farmers as the UK kicks off trade negotiations with the EU and United States, urging the Government to legislate that the UK will not import food that would be illegal for farmers to produce here.
Batters said: “This is yet another clear signal that the public do not want to see food on their plates that has been produced far below the high standards they expect of British farmers.
In such a short amount of time, thousands of people have demonstrated their support for Government legislating that our high standards of animal welfare, environmental protection and food safety will not be compromised by imports.
“We have the opportunity now to promote our sustainable, climate-friendly food across the world and I am eager to work with the Government to achieve this ambition.
“I would urge anyone who shares these values to sign this petition and send a simple message to the Government that they want all food eaten in the UK, whether it is in our homes, schools, hospitals, restaurants or shops, to match the high standards expected of our farmers.”
AgriLand readers can sign the NFU Food Standards Petition here.
