The recently negotiated trade deal between the UK and US which increases the trade of beef raised industry concerns about preserving food standards, in particular hormone-treated meat. UK government ministers provided assurance that food standards will not be dropped.

Hormone-treated beef is currently banned in Europe, but still used as common practice in the US to increase muscle mass in cattle, allowing cheaper production of beef.

Steve Reed, the UK’s Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said on X:

Labour promised to uphold the highest agricultural standards which is exactly what the U.S. trade deal does. The deal we’ve signed will protect British farmers and uphold our high animal welfare and environmental standards. Imports of hormone treated beef and chlorinated chicken remain illegal. Any agricultural imports coming into the UK will have to meet our high food sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) standards.”

Liz Webster, founder of the group Save British Farming, shared her fears on X: 

"In exchange for tariff relief on luxury cars, we've opened our doors to US beef and ethanol. But as our border checks are barely functioning, how we'll enforce standards is anyone's guess."