Fri, 09 May 2025

Fri, 09 May 2025 Hormone-treated beef will not enter UK after US deal, says government

Farmers are raising questions over how checks will ensure US beef produced using hormones doesn't enter the UK market.

* The government has denied that American hormone-treated meat will enter the UK market, despite concerns from farmers and consumers.
* Certification procedures and border checks will ensure hormone-reared beef does not enter the UK.
* Up to 13,000 metric tonnes of tariff-free beef imports from the US are allowed under the deal.
* The UK stopped allowing hormone-produced beef in 1989 due to health concerns, but many American farmers use growth hormones as a standard part of their production.
* Some consumers have expressed concern that lower quality US beef could enter the UK market.
* A government spokesperson said agencies responsible for border safety checks can test meat for traces of hormone and will take "consequences" against anyone breaking the law.
* The National Farmers' Union has asked the government to provide more details on how checks will work to ensure safety standards are maintained.
* Some farmers and consumers have vowed to look out for UK-produced beef in future.
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