A UK Government Minister and a Member of the House of Lords who spoke during a debate on international trade in favour of New Zealand lamb over home-produced lamb, have come under fire from industry spokesmen.
Lord Hannan of Kinsclere and the UK Government’s Minister for International Trade, Lord Johnson of Lainston, both stated during a House of Lords debate that New Zealand lamb was 'better for the environment' than home-produced lamb.
Related Articles:
- New Zealand's gain will be our sheep farmers' loss
- Covid in China pushes NZ lamb to EU and UK
- NZ research claimed food miles added few emissions to meat
But industry lobbyists have pointed out that imported lamb from New Zealand might have been produced to lower standards than our own food, using methods which are unacceptable here.
Richard Thomson, MP for Gordon and SNP spokesperson for International Trade, hit back: “It is beyond belief that someone who was appointed a matter of weeks ago as a Minister to promote the UK’s and therefore Scotland’s trade interests is standing at the Despatch Box in the House of Lords promoting New Zealand lamb over our own, claiming it is better for the environment.
“Sheep farmers and lamb producers the length and breadth of Scotland will be utterly appalled that unelected Conservative Lords and a member of the UK Government should run-down home-produced lamb in this way.
“The Agricultural and Horticultural Development Board stated just a few months ago that welfare standards in the production of New Zealand lamb were lower than those here. That is a very important consideration when looking at the ethical production methods and desirability of a meat product.
"I have no hesitation in saying that Scotch Lamb is up there with the best and shall be writing to the Minister urging him to apologise to Scotland’s sheep farmers and lamb producers for his ignorance,” he said.
He was backed by the Liberal Democrats, who called the remarks 'an insult to British farmers', and called for a final Parliamentary vote on the New Zealand trade deal. The party said that, in power, it would ensure farming standards were guaranteed in trade deals.
Latest News:
- Coroner calls for farm public footpath dog ban when cows with calves
- Amanda Owen to star in first show since split from Clive Owen
- More than 7m captive birds have died or been culled over bird flu
LibDem spokesperson for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said: “This is an insult to farmers across the county, for a Minister supposed to represent British people to be commending New Zealand lamb over our own.
“Comments like these are yet another example of the Conservatives failing to understand or support our farmers. They serve only to undermine our farmers by failing to note the lower welfare standards for animals in New Zealand.
“Liberal Democrats are appalled at any Minister lauding foreign produce over the incredibly high quality food our farmers produce for our tables while protecting and enhancing our natural environment.”
Lord Hannan was formerly a Conservative Euro-MP and Lord Johnson only entered the House of Lords in October last year and co-founded Somerset Capital Management with Jacob Rees-Mogg MP and is the son-in-law of a Conservative peer. He has also donated over quarter of a million pounds to the Conservative Party.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here