US deal a 'body blow' for farmers

THE former leader of Northumberland County Council has slammed the Government's much-heralded trade deal with the United States, branding it “unfair” and “panicked”.

- JAMES ROBINSON

Peter Jackson, who is a farmer and a director at the True North Think Tank, described Keir Starmer's deal with Donald Trump as a “body blow” for the rural economy.

Mr Jackson, who did not stand for re-election at this month's local elections, feared the impact the deal would have on British beef farmers and ethanol production.

The Government has argued the deal has given UK farmers access to American markets without compromising on British food standards, which are some of the highest in the world.

Earlier this week, the National Farmers Union (NFU) was appreciative of the access for beef exports, but also raised concerns about the inclusion of a “significant volume” of bioethanol in the deal.

Bioethanol is a petrol substitute produced from agricultural products. The deal includes an agreement to reduce British tariffs on American ethanol from 19% to zero.