British farmers and industry leaders demand protection from American imports amid £5.7bn sector concerns.
British dairy farmers have issued an urgent warning to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, demanding protection from potentially devastating US trade concessions that could undermine the nation’s £5.7 billion dairy industry. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) and Dairy UK have jointly confronted the government with stark concerns that increased American market access could destabilize domestic farming operations already facing significant economic pressures and threaten the livelihoods of over 10,000 active dairy farms nationwide.
Industry leaders are sounding alarms about the fundamental differences between British and American dairy production systems, particularly regarding scale, animal welfare standards, and regulatory frameworks. NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins emphasized that US farmers operate under vastly different constraints, producing dairy on massive scales with significantly fewer regulatory obligations, creating an uneven competitive landscape that could devastate British producers who maintain higher welfare and environmental standards.
The timing of this industry pushback coincides strategically with President Donald Trump’s state visit to Britain, as agricultural stakeholders seek to influence ongoing trade negotiations. A comprehensive NFU report has highlighted critical contrasts between the two nations’ approaches to production systems, animal welfare protocols, environmental standards, and veterinary medicine usage, underscoring the potential risks of asymmetrical trade agreements that could compromise British dairy’s competitive position.
The cumulative impact of successive trade deals with New Zealand, Australia, and India has already significantly opened Britain’s dairy market, with industry leaders warning that additional concessions to the United States could create unsustainable competitive pressures. Dairy UK Chief Executive Dr. Judith Bryans stressed that British dairy farmers and processors deliver world-class nutritious products under some of the highest welfare and environmental standards globally, achievements that cannot be jeopardized by rushed or unbalanced trade agreements.
The dairy sector’s economic significance extends far beyond farm gates, supporting approximately 70,000 jobs across farming and processing facilities while serving as a cornerstone of rural economies nationwide. Industry representatives argue that maintaining existing tariff protections for critical agricultural sectors is essential for preserving domestic food security, consumer confidence, and the long-term viability of British dairy businesses in an increasingly volatile global marketplace.
Source: Farming UK – Farmers warn PM: Don’t sell out British dairy in US trade talks
You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!
🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K
