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Animal Products: Imports

Asked by Mr Tanmanjeet Singh DhesiLabourDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled Answered 9 July 2026UIN 14921

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent steps her Department has taken to help prevent the importation of low-welfare animal products.

Answered by Stephen Morgan

The Government will not lower food standards and will uphold high animal welfare protections.

The Government will always consider whether overseas goods benefit from an unfair advantage and any impact on UK producers. Where necessary, the Government will use the full range of powers at Government’s disposal including permanent quotas, exclusions and safeguards. For example, the trade deal with India agreed in May 2025 and the recently agreed deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council both reflect the priorities of the farming sector, including opening new opportunities for UK agricultural exports and excluding pork, chicken and eggs from tariff reductions.

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