THE UK Government is being urged to rule out any trade deal which could result in a slump in food standards.
It comes as US president Donald Trump arrives in the UK for a three-day state visit.
The SNP’s Deidre Brock, the party’s food and rural affairs spokesperson, is warning that a failure to rule out such deals could see Scotland’s food market flooded with chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-injected beef.
These standards are commonplace in the US food market but banned in EU member states.
“Before the wheels of Air Force One touch down in the UK, the Tory government must rule out any plans to sell out Scottish producers by weakening food standards as part of a damaging trade deal with Donald Trump,” said Brock.
“Scotland’s produce sector is a huge part of our successful economy; it’s time for the Tories to take the threat of chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-injected beef off the table.
“Shamefully, as the Brexit cliff edge gets closer, the Tories have offered neither clarity nor certainly for Scotland’s food producers.
“It’s shameful that our hard-working producers are kept in the dark – meanwhile, the UK Government rolls out the red carpet for Donald Trump.
“It’s time Westminster showed Scottish producers and consumers some respect.”
Trump’s schedule for tomorrow includes a business breakfast at St James’s Palace with Prime Minister Theresa May and senior business leaders from the US and UK.
He will then visit Downing Street, before hosting a dinner at the residence of the US ambassador when he will be joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall.
Several protest groups plan to march through London during the his visit, with the main demonstration due to convene at Trafalgar Square at 11am tomorrow.
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament is the latest to announce its involvement, pledging to protest against Trump’s “nuclear brinkmanship” and “penchant for tearing up nuclear treaties”.
General secretary Kate Hudson said: “Yes, Britain must foster good diplomatic relations with all countries, but unfurling the red carpet and hosting a state banquet for a US president like Donald Trump is entirely inappropriate.”
On Wednesday he will attend commemorations the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Portsmouth.
Stand Up to Racism Scotland groups are planning demonstrations in Edinburgh, Dundee and Glasgow. They said there were several good reasons to protest against him.
“Remember this is the man who said there were ‘good people’ on the far right march at Charlottesville where fascists with burning torches shouted, ‘Jews will not replace us.’”
Steve West, of Stand up to Racism Edinburgh, said: “We want masses of people to come out and protest around the UK when he visits, to leave him in no doubt that his divisive, abhorrent ideas are not welcome here.”
The giant inflatable Donald Trump baby blimp is expected to fly over London during his state visit after its owners passed their £30,000 fundraising target for charities.
Organisers plan to fly the 20ft blimp, which depicts Trump wearing a nappy, above Parliament Square for two hours from 9am tomorrow.
Ajuub Faraji, one of the blimp’s so-called “babysitters”, commented: “We’re sending a very clear message of solidarity to those affected by his despicable politics – and saying loud and clear that the US president doesn’t deserve the red carpet treatment being given to him by the Government.”
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