CABINET BEEF
Tory rift over Brexit trade deal for cheap Aussie burgers and steak in British supermarkets
BRITAIN and Australia are haggling over a decade long phasing out of all taxes on meat imports amid a major rift in the Cabinet.
The two governments are on the cusp of a post-Brexit trade deal but a Whitehall war of words has erupted over claims “Waitrose Tories” want to block cheaper food on store shelves.
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Ministers are under massive pressure from farmers and rich landowners to water down the deal over fears it would be too much competition for Britain’s struggling agriculture sector and see a decline in standards.
But a row has exploded in Cabinet with supporters of the deal arguing it will slash the price of high quality steaks and burgers in British supermarkets.
Oz trade negotiators are pushing for a rapid five year slashing of all import taxes on their beef and lamb heading to our stores.
But amid a major backlash from farming unions, Environment Secretary George Eustice backed by ally Michael Gove say it must be at least 15 years and some restrictions could remain even then.
But a faction led by Trade Secretary Liz Truss, backed by Brexit guru David Frost and Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng, are seeking the blessing tomorrow from Boris Johnson to settle on about 10 years.
Allies of the free trade backers were confident they had Mr Johnson onside, but one cautioned BoJo could often change his mind during big set piece showdowns.
Ahead of the crunch meeting of the PM's inner-Cabinet committee in charge of trade deals on Thursday, tension bubbled over last night.
WAITROSE V RED WALL TORIES
Supporters of Ms Truss accused Mr Gove and Mr Eustice of being “more Waitrose than Red Wall” - claiming their go slow approach will keep prices high for consumers.
One Whitehall source said: “I really don’t know why George Eustice even voted for Brexit if he does not want to take advantage of actually leaving the EU.”
And last night Mr Kwarteng went public with his concerns, telling the BBC: “If we can’t do a trade deal with Australia, two countries with a shared culture, I think any other deals are looking very challenging.”
The business secretary added that he was confident it would be “a good deal” and it would be bolstered by a transition of around a decade to give British farmers “plenty of time to adjust.”
But the National Farmers Union said ministers must avoid signing the deal in its current terms and ditch their target of inking it at next month’s G7 summit.
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NFU president Minette Batters said “If we are taking back control we are taking back control regardless of time limits. Let us take as long as it takes.”
"The British Government faces a choice. It must recognise that opening up zero-tariff trade on all imports of products such as beef and lamb means British farming, working to its current high standards, will struggle to compete."
THE SUN SAYS
BREXIT will be a roaring success — only if we grasp its golden new opportunities.
So it would be insane not to sign the free trade deal with Australia negotiated by Liz Truss.
It is the first that isn’t just a tweaked and improved version of what we had under the EU. But it is fiercely resisted by those, some in the Cabinet, who claim imports will harm our farmers.
Rubbish. Not only will they have a decade before it is fully implemented — but can they really not compete with Aussie rivals who operate to similarly exacting standards and have to ship their meat 10,000 miles?
We must sign this deal and one with New Zealand too. Both will mean cheaper grub for millions.
Leaving the EU was about taking back control of our laws, money and borders while opening Britain up to the world for trade. The “full fat” Brexit we did handed us total freedom to do so.
What a catastrophic signal it will send if “global Britain” rejects its first brand-new trade deal and pulls up the drawbridge.
George Eustice grilled over the effects of Brexit on food prices on The Andrew Marr Show
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