PoultryWorld: UK-India trade deal retains tariffs on poultry and eggs

The UK and India have signed a Fair-Trade Agreement to reduce trade barriers and boost economic growth. The deal maintains tariffs on chicken, egg products, sugar, and pork from India to protect UK poultry and pig farmers from competition with lower-priced imports, especially those with potentially lower animal welfare standards.

India has lower animal welfare standards than in the UK, allowing barren battery cages for laying hens – a farming practice that has been banned in the UK since 20212.

But the deal includes the Indian government halving tariff reductions on whisky and gin – from 150% to 75% – before reducing them further to 40% by year 10. It also covers tariffs on salmon, chocolate, biscuits, and lamb.

The UK to set its own standards

Additionally, the UK will retain its regulatory autonomy to set its own independent standards, ensuring it can continue to uphold high levels of protection for animal, human and plant health

The National Farmers’ Union has been actively lobbying the government to ensure that the trade does not compromise UK production standards or allow for imports of lower-welfare meat.

Tom Bradshaw, NFU president, welcomed the agreement, saying ministers had listened to the union’s worries. “Ministers have clearly listened to our concerns around upholding the UK’s production standards and safeguarding our most sensitive farming sectors by maintaining the current levels of tariffs for imports of sugar, chicken, eggs and port.”

He said it was positive that the government has managed to secure full access to the Indian market for high quality British lamb, adding: “Although it’s been unsuccessful in increasing export opportunities for other products such as apples and oats – something we were asking for.”

He added: “The big concern with this deal is that our dairy products have been liberalised yet again – the third successive trade deal with a major dairy producing company – while our dairy farmers will not see any greater access for British cheeses and dairy products on the Indian market. The cumulative impact of ever greater access to our domestic food markets in trade deals cannot be overlooked and is something our government must seriously consider.”

Animal welfare

Compassion in world Farming said that despite initial concerns around lower welfare imports, “we are pleased to see there won’t be tariff reductions on pork, chicken or egg imports to the UK. This means it will continue to be more expensive to import these products, deterring imports that would otherwise have the potential to undercut UK farmers on welfare and price.”

David Bowles, RSPCA head of public affairs, also welcomed the deal, although he said the language on animal welfare was not as robust as in the past. However, he said that it does permit the UK to set its own welfare standards and bring in clear labelling on how a product has been produced.