Jacob Rees-Mogg’s pro-Aussie beef comments spark reaction

Farm leader Minette Batters has accused Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg of seeking to destroy British agriculture after he backed imports of hormone-fed Australian beef.

Speaking during a Rally for Growth at the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Sir Jacob said: “I want hormone-injected beef from Australia.

“I’ve eaten beef in Australia, it was absolutely delicious, there’s nothing wrong with it and they should be allowed to export it here because we want lower costs.”

See also: Aussies target UK market with branded beef and lamb

The Conservative MP for North East Somerset’s comments at the Tory conference fringe meeting on Monday (2 October) have been met with widespread condemnation from the UK farming industry.

They were made at a time many farmers are struggling to cope with financial pressures due to rising energy and production costs, lower levels of direct support and stagnant prices.

‘Morally bankrupt’

NFU president Mrs Batters let rip on her X account, describing Sir Jacob’s comments as “unbelievable”.

The farm leader accused him of harbouring “an absolute desire to annihilate British agriculture” and branded him “totally and utterly morally bankrupt”.

Unbelievable from @Jacob_Rees_Mogg – an absolute desire to annihilate British Ag – totally & utterly morally bankrupt. One thing’s for certain the Aussies would have deported him if he were representing them. https://t.co/WFG2L5DvbR

— minette batters (@Minette_Batters) October 2, 2023

She tweeted: “One thing’s for certain, the Aussies would have deported him if he were representing them.”  

Defra secretary Therese Coffey, who is Conservative MP for Suffolk Coastal, was asked by Farmers Weekly deputy editor Abi Kay at a separate event at the conference if it scared her that a wing of her party “seems hellbent on throwing British farmers under the bus”.

Ms Coffey did not answer the question directly, but said: “Some of our trading partners struggle with the fact we won’t allow hormone-treated beef into our country. But we’re just not going to. End of.”

‘Lost the plot’

Neil Shand, chief executive of the National Beef Association (NBA), said he was shocked by Sir Jacob’s comments.

“First and foremost, we must protect our industry and our markets from imports that are currently banned under our regulations,” said Mr Shand.

“The Conservative Party used to be loyal to rural constituencies and very supporting of the farming industry. Once again, this shows factions from within the party have completely lost the plot.”

Christopher Price, chief executive of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, a conservation charity that promotes rare and native farm breeds, said he expected most people to give Sir Jacob’s comments “short shrift”.

He said: “Sir Jacob appears to have misunderstood the widespread concerns about the use of growth hormones, which relates to the ways in which they compromise animal welfare and, in doing so, undercut the high standards maintained by the vast majority of UK farmers.

“Contrary to what he believes, this has nothing to do with the taste of meat.”