Farming unions urged to back Aussie trade deal legal challenge

Farming organisations are being urged to rally behind a legal challenge that seeks to annul the UK government’s free trade agreement with Australia on environmental grounds.

The High Court granted campaign group Feedback permission for a full judicial review of the trade agreement, acknowledging the importance of the case in relation to the UK’s international climate obligations.

The legal challenge contends that the agreement, negotiated under the previous Conservative government, is based on a “flawed environmental assessment”.

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The group also argues that the trade deal does not sufficiently consider the effects of increased Australian imports on UK farming practices, particularly regarding livestock emissions and the overall carbon footprint, due to tariff-free imports of Australian food.

In the wake of Labour’s election win in July, Defra secretary Steve Reed committed to protect British farmers from ever being undercut by “dodgy Tory trade deals” – a promise he has repeated again in more recent weeks.

Carina Millstone, executive director at Feedback, said it was “deeply disappointing” that the government was claiming it will no longer enter into trade deals that undercut Britain’s environmental goals, while seeking to block a judicial review of the climate implications of the UK-Australia free trade agreement.

“If the government genuinely wishes to break with the reckless trade and environmental policies of its predecessor, dropping its inexplicable attempt to block this judicial review would be a fine place to start,” she added.

Farming representatives have expressed concerns that the trade deal could lead to a flood of cheap imports, threatening the livelihoods of local producers and compromising environmental standards.

Many fear that the influx of tariff-free Australian goods may undermine UK farmers’ ability to compete, while also posing risks to the environment.

Call to action

Campaigners believe that a united front from farming organisations could significantly strengthen the legal case against the government, highlighting the critical need to protect both farmers’ livelihoods and the environment.

Liz Webster, founder of campaign group Save British Farming, said: “It is alarming that there are no voices from farming organisations in this legal challenge to what is an opportunity to challenge this appalling trade deal for British farming.

“Without doubt, the Australian trade deal is an enormous threat to British farming and our high food and environmental standards.

“I believe both the NFU, the CLA [Country Land and Business Association] and others should get behind this judicial review.”

William Taylor, co-ordinator of NI Farmers for Action (FFA), said: “We are dealing with an accelerated climate change issue and if our politicians are adhering to climate change protocols, they should not be importing food that isn’t required.

“To import sheep meat into the UK from Australia when the country is self-sufficient in lamb does not stand up to climate change protocols.

“There should be a carbon tax on sheep meat that is coming from Australia. The same could be said for dairy products.”

A UK government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on ongoing legal proceedings.”