Calls for UK to ban EU meat imports as 'standards lowered' – Lord tables urgent question
A NEW Brexit row could be about to erupt with the European Union with calls for the UK to ban imports of meat from the bloc as it "lowers food standards".
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Conservative Party peer Lord Moylan has taken to Twitter to reveal he will ask the Government tomorrow if they plan to do anything in response to the European Union's expected reintroduction of processed animal protein (PAP) into livestock feed from next month. The Brexiteer lashed out at the EU, accusing the bloc of lowering food standards and asking if the UK will be able to ban imports of meat reared on PAP. He added if the UK does make such a move, whether that ban will be made legally effective in Northern Ireland because of the Protocol.
Lord Moylan tweeted: "Tomorrow at about 12.30 in House of Lords I’ll be asking Her Majesty’s Government what steps they intend to take, if any, in response to the European Union’s expected reintroduction of processed animal protein (PAP) into livestock feed from August.
"PAP has been banned for many years now because of its association with BSE and Creutzfeld-Jakob’s Disease.
"Why is the EU lowering food standards this way and will the UK be able to ban imports of meat reared on PAP?
"Equally importantly, if the UK does ban such imports, can that ban be made legally effective in N Ireland because of the Protocol?
"This is another case of a legal change that the people of NI have had no democratic say in."
The comments from the Brexiteer were overwhelmingly backed by several people responding to his Twitter post.
One person said: "Thank you. It’s a disgusting practice in a civilised society."
Another Twitter user commented: "We should ban imports of meat reared on PAP. We learnt our lesson the hard way from BSE."
A third person wrote: "Presumably it will be a good opportunity for the UK to show that alternative arrangements can be used to stop lower standard EU products entering GB."
Another Twitter user added: "If only we had a veto, or a vote on it.
"We seem to be in a position of no say in the matter whilst it could be enforceable in NI, I would call that a massive loss of sovereignty.
"But still good luck, it's an important issue."
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Last week, the EU agreed to a ceasefire with Britain by agreeing to extend a grace period for shipments of certain meat products from mainland United Kingdom to Northern Ireland.
The grace period on chilled meat products had been due to end last Thursday.
It would have meant British non-frozen sausages or mince would not have been able to cross the Irish Sea because of a ban from the bloc on such products from third countries.
Britain had called for an additional three months to enable the two sides to find a solution to the trade difficulties over Northern Ireland.
Brexit minister Lord Frost said in a statement: "The chilled meats issue is only one of a very large number of problems with the way the protocol is currently operating, and solutions need to be found with the EU to ensure it delivers on its original aims."
He added the UK will work "energetically" with Brussels as attempts to find a solution continue.
An EU official also warned: "Where the UK disrespects its agreements with us and acts unilaterally, we will be tough.
"Of course, it's possible to have good news stories when it comes to U.K.-EU relations."