New Waitrose boss wades into US foods row demanding ministers do not compromise standards

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New Waitrose boss wades into US foods row demanding ministers do not compromise standards

By Daily Mail City & Finance Reporter

Published: | Updated:

Animal welfare: Waitrose executive director James Bailey

The new Waitrose boss has waded into the row over US trade talks by calling for ministers not to compromise food standards.

Executive director James Bailey said UK consumers should not ‘close their eyes’ to the poor treatment of animals abroad as opposition mounts to US food imports from the big grocers.

UK farmers have lashed out at suggestions Britain may have to accept imports of hormone-treated beef and pigs, and chlorinated chicken, in a new trade deal with the US. 

If allowed, they threaten to undercut UK producers and put them out of business.

It is feared negotiators may include lower-standard products in a deal to win US agreement.

In Waitrose’s magazine, Bailey said: ‘It would be simply wrong to maintain high standards at home yet import food that has been produced to lower standards.

‘We would be closing our eyes to a problem that exists in another part of the world and to animals who are out of our sight.’

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