Trans-Pacific Partnership raises concerns for British egg producers
The newly established CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) trade agreement enables the importation of eggs from nations employing conventional battery cage systems, which have been prohibited in Britain for over ten years. Consequently, eggs of lower standards may be brought in from countries that rely on caged battery farms, such as Mexico. Leading figures in the industry have cautioned that this could undermine British egg producers who adhere to superior animal welfare and food safety standards outlined in the British Lion Code of Practice.
The RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) has criticized the government for engaging in a "race to the bottom" in terms of animal welfare standards, pointing out that conventional battery systems were banned in the UK in 2012. As the signing of the CPTPP trade deal approaches on July 16, campaigners are urging the government to prohibit the importation of eggs that do not meet UK animal welfare standards.The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is a free trade agreement involving 11 countries: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, New Zealand, Singapore, and Vietnam. The UK submitted its application to join the agreement in 2021, and negotiations were concluded earlier this year.
