The letter paves the way for a set of core standards to be introduced, and asks for political leaders, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer and Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey, to make a manifesto commitment to the formation of a core standards commission.
This would look at the practicalities and legal requirements to ensure imported food meets the same environmental and animal welfare standards as those adhered to by UK farmers.
The joint action comes as the UK Government continues to open up our market to agri-food imports from across the world 鈥� only last week the UK鈥檚 membership of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade deal cleared its final hurdle before being ratified, and the UK Government launched trade talks with Turkey.
System of core standards
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 鈥淭his joint letter represents the strength and breadth of feeling on this issue of production standards for food imported into the UK; it must meet the same production standards as asked of our farmers. It is what the British people expect and its time a system of core standards was properly established in UK law.
鈥淭rade is hugely important and the NFU has campaigned successfully to ensure our farmers and growers are not disadvantaged by food imported into the UK produced to standards that would be illegal here. One million people signed our petition, so we know this matters to people.
鈥淎 commission able to develop these core standards is the first real step to making core standards a workable reality.鈥�
鈥�This joint letter represents the strength and breadth of feeling on this issue of production standards for food imported into the UK.鈥�
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
The NFU鈥檚 food standards petition was launched during 2020. Signed by more than 1 million people, it called for the government to ensure all UK food imports match the high standards of production that British producers must follow, and to prevent imports of food that is produced in ways that are illegal in the UK.
Commit to a commission
Tanya Steele, Chief Executive of WWF, said: 鈥淔or too long UK trade policy has rewarded environmentally harmful food production overseas while undermining farmers who are making strides towards greener farming practices.
鈥淭ogether with the NFU, we are calling for all parties to commit to a commission to establish core standards in trade. Farmers and businesses would welcome this and there is clear support from the public to stop fuelling the destruction of nature.
鈥淏y setting core standards we would uphold our national climate and nature targets, reduce our contribution to the destruction of nature, and create a level playing field for UK farmers working hard to produce food to higher standards.
鈥淭here is no time to lose if we are to secure a resilient and nature-rich future for food and farming in the UK.鈥�
You can read the letter in full below which was sent to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer and Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey:
Food security: the NFU campaign so far
Government launches retaliatory tariff consultation
Following the introduction of 10% tariffs on all UK imports to the US, the government launches a consultation on the impact of potential UK tariffs on US goods.
皇家华人encourages members to feed into their response by 23 April.
In his weekly vlog, NFU President Tom Bradshaw updates on the NFU's close conversations with government to understand the impact of tariffs imposed by President Trump, as well as the importance of not undercutting British farmers in any potential trade deal with the US.
NFU works closely with government to mitigate US tariff impacts
皇家华人is working at pace with government ministers and officials in Defra and the Department for Business and Trade to ensure that UK agri-markets can act swiftly in response to potential disruption as a result of new 10% tariffs from the US.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw says: 鈥淲hile this is a developing and concerning situation, we are working in genuine partnership with the government and sharing our expertise on this to ensure, if there is any market disruption in response to a change in the movement of goods and products between affected countries, we can respond swiftly.鈥�
UK farming unions urge government to stand up for farming in any US trade deal
All four of the UK鈥檚 farming unions have said that the government must stand up for UK agriculture in any trade negotiations with the US. The warning comes amid media reports of a potential trade deal to avoid reciprocal tariffs from 2 April, the day a number of US tariffs on trade come into force.
NFU launches Blueprints for Growth to civil servants
皇家华人has brought together 47 civil servants from across 7 Whitehall departments to learn more about its newly launched Blueprints for Growth.
Intended as a roadmap for government on how they can lay firm foundations for a sustainable and profitable future for agriculture, the blueprints outline how British farming can contribute to the government's missions and ensure a safe, healthy and affordable supply of British food.
Defra Secretary reaffirms commitment to upholding standards in trade deals at NFU Conference
During the political session of NFU Conference 2025, Defra Secretary Steve Reed reaffirmed the government's commitment to protecting farmers and growers in future trade deals: "We will never lower our food standards in trade agreements. British farming deserves a level playing field where you can compete and win, and that is what you'll get. We will use the full range of powers at our disposal to protect our most sensitive sectors."听
The Secretary of State also used the session to rule out the import of hormone-treated beef into the country.
NFU urges government to act on National Preparedness Commission recommendations
皇家华人is urging the government to act on the recommendations of the National Preparedness Commission, an independent group of experts in national crisis planning, following a stark warning in its new report on food resilience.
The report calls for urgent action to make food systems more resilient in order to effectively safeguard the nation鈥檚 food supply in the face of increasing global shocks and pressures.
NFU responds to trade strategy consultation
皇家华人has responded to the Department for Business and Trade consultation on its upcoming strategy, urging the government to establish clear principles to create a shared understanding of government intentions in an increasingly challenging and unpredictable geopolitical context.
Following the submission, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: "We are urging government to level the playing field and translate its pledge to 鈥榩rotect farmers from being undercut by low welfare and low standards in trade deals,鈥� into a set of statutory core production standards that must be met by both domestically produced and imported food to be sold in the UK."
Defra Secretary promises to uphold standards in trade deals at OFC
The Defra Secretary has outlined a new deal for farmers in his speech at the Oxford Farming Conference. As part of this new deal, he has promised that the government will 鈥渦phold and protect our high environmental and animal welfare standards in future trade deals鈥�. He also committed to expanding global trade opportunities and reaching a new veterinary agreement with the EU.
Warnings in food security report as vulnerabilities revealed
Defra鈥檚 2024 UK Food Security Report makes for important reading as the economy and whole food supply chain has come through a volatile time, the NFU has said.
The report confirmed that the UK produced around 60% of the food it consumed in 2023 (62% for all food and 75% for those that can be grown in the UK). However, the report identifies that many countries from which the UK imports produce are subject to their own climate-related challenges and sustainability risks.
NFU pushes for core standards at Labour Conference
NFU President Tom Bradshaw has told the audience at the NFU's Labour Party Conference fringe event that the industry is at a 鈥減ivotal鈥� moment and outlined the need for a set of core standards to be implemented that make it illegal to import food produced to lower standards than we have here in the UK.
Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister Daniel Zeichner MP appeared alongside Tom on the panel and reiterated the government's commitment to ensuring farmers won't be undercut by low welfare standards in trade deals.
Defra Secretary says government will protect farmers in trade deals as 'new deal for farmers' announced
皇家华人has said that Defra's promise of a 'new deal for farmers' sets out "positive intentions", although " there is a lot of work to be done".
Defra Secretary Steve Reed announced that the 'new deal' will "boost rural economic growth and strengthen food security" through a range of measures, which include protecting farmers from being undercut in trade deals.
鈥楩ood security is our shared mission鈥�, Farming Minister tells NFU MP reception
Addressing a packed room of over 130 MPs, Peers and NFU representatives, Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner commits to 鈥渆nhance鈥� Britain's food security with 鈥渁 new deal for farmers鈥�.
In his speech, NFU President Tom Bradshaw referenced the results of a recent NFU survey, which found that increasing the UK鈥檚 self-sufficiency and ensuring animal welfare standards are maintained for imported food also topped the public鈥檚 priorities for the industry.
Second Farm to Fork summit takes place at 10 Downing Street
皇家华人secures major wins from the government, including the publication of a Food Security Index, as the second Farm to Fork summit takes place at 10 Downing Street.
After attending the summit, NFU President Tom Bradshaw says: 鈥淚t was good to return to Number 10 today to see and hear the Prime Minister champion British food production, putting it at the top of the national political agenda. Food security is national security."
NFU and WWF jointly call for core standards for all agri-food imports
皇家华人and WWF have written to the three main political parties in England calling for action to safeguard British farmers and growers from food imports that would be illegal to produce here.
NFU meets with Defra
NFU President Tom Bradshaw met Defra Secretary Steve Barclay MP and reiterated the NFU鈥檚 steadfast call for fairness for British farmers and growers in all future trade deals.
UK suspends trade talks with Canada
In keeping with the NFU鈥檚 principles for balanced trade negotiations, the government suspended UK-Canada trade talks having assessed that the deal would undermine our high food standards.
Food security highlighted in NFU manifesto
皇家华人has highlighted its policy asks on food security as it launches its manifesto -鈥� 'Farming for Britain's Future'.
Food security summit hosted at Number 10
10 Downing Street holds a food summit to take action on a raft of NFU policy asks and 'champion UK food and drink'.
With the NFU having consistently called for more agri attach茅s to promote British food and drink to new markets around the globe, the Prime Minister announced that the number of attach茅s will be increased to 16 by May 2024.
MPs debate food security
Following relentless NFU campaigning MPs focus on the actions needed to ensure a secure supply of British food during a Westminster Hall debate. On the same day NFU President Minette Batters gives evidence to the Environmental Audit Committee.
Public support closes in on 50,000
More than 40,000 people add their name to our calls for the UK Government to set a food security target, monitor production levels and host a summit in 2023.
'Clock is ticking' warns NFU President
Amid scenes of empty shelves across the nation Minette Batters tells the NFU's annual conference that unless robust commitments to food security are delivered by the UK Government then shelves could be empty again later in the year.
The Food & Drink Export Council meets for the first time
皇家华人focuses its Back British Farming campaign on galvanising public support for a secure supply of homegrown food on British shelves to ensure stocks never run out.
Following this significant push from the NFU to grow our exports, the government established the Food and Drink Export Council, bringing together industry experts and devolved governments to promote British exports abroad.
Minette Batters goes to Number 10
NFU President Minette Batters meets Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to double down on commitments to set a food security target and host a UK wide annual summit.
Emergency press conference
皇家华人calls an emergency press conference as farmers and growers say they are being unfairly treated as supply chains struggle to keep shelves stocked.
Food part of our national security says former MI5 Director General
Speaking at the fifth annual Henry Plumb lecture the former MI5 Director General The Right Honourable Baroness Manningham-Buller LG DCB called for the UK produce as much of its own food as possible, as she set out the three C鈥檚 of challenges to food security in the 21st century 鈥� climate, covid, and conflict.
Race to become Prime Minister
皇家华人secures food security commitments from leadership candidates Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak as they bid to become the next Prime Minister.
NFU sets out vision to grow exports
皇家华人set out a detailed strategy outlining its ambition to grow the UK鈥檚 food, drink and agricultural exports by 30% by 2030, bringing the total value of UK agri-food exports to over 拢30 billion.
UK Government announces eight new agriculture attachés
Following sustained NFU campaigning, Defra recruits eight new agri-food attach茅s to help boost the UK鈥檚 agri-food exports, bringing the total number of dedicated UK agri-food attach茅s to 11. Find out more
Scrutiny of trade deals secured in law
After extensive campaigning by the NFU, the government agreed to put in law a system that means each new free trade deal will be scrutinised by parliament for its impact on animal welfare and British farming before it鈥檚 ratified. This is why an official Trade and Agriculture Commission is a victory for British farming and the future of food on our plates.
Jamie Oliver applies more pressure of government
After working closely with the NFU's food standards campaign Jamie Oliver launches his own new campaign which highlights how trade deals that are currently being negotiated will impact on the food on our plates for years to come. He's joined by Joe Wicks, Anita Rani and a host of well-known faces.听.
Government answers our calls for a commission
The UK Government answers our calls for a Trade, Food and Farming Standards Commission to advise on the best ways to maintain high food production standards in any future trade deals.
Our food standards petition hits one million signatures
More than a million people pledged听their support for our petition by 18听June.听It is the clearest indication yet that the British public does not want to see food on their supermarket shelves, or in their restaurants and cafes, that falls below the standards British farmers adhere to.
Thousands of supporters email their MP
We invited those people who took the time to sign our petition, to email their MP. 78,000 people took this action and called on their MP for the establishment of a听.
NFU secures support from Jamie Oliver
Chef and campaigner Jamie Oliver wrote an as part of the newspaper's 'Save Our Family Farms' campaign, asking him to prevent 'opening the floodgates to a whole raft of low-quality food that would normally be illegal in the UK'. sparked an overwhelming response from the British public. Delia Smith followed suit a few days later, urging her fans to sign our petition and bolstering support for our campaign even further.
NFU launches food standards campaign petition
We launched our petition calling on the UK government to put laws in place that prevent imports of food that is produced in ways that are illegal in the UK.
NFU leads the charge on food standards and trade deals as Brexit looms
皇家华人mobilised a huge coalition of farming, environmental, animal welfare and public health organisations to write a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask that high British food standards are protected in future trade deals.