Waitrose vows ‘never’ to sell any food which does not meet UK’s high standards

The letter follows a recent campaign by the NFU, which saw more than one million people sign a petition urging Government to put laws in place to prevent UK food standards being undermined by future imports.

Undermine

Mr Bailey went on to claim the USA’s production of hormone-treated beef and extensive use of antibiotics would ‘seriously undermine public health’, as well as creating a scenario which could see farmers undercut in the event of a UK-US trade deal.

“It would be simply wrong to maintain high standards at home yet import food from overseas that has been produced to lower standards,” he said.

“We would be closing our eyes to a problem that exists in another part of the world and to animals who are out of our sight and our minds. I feel sure customers will share our view.”

Pledge

Stressing the retailer’s pledge to uphold its high standards, Mr Bailey added: “We promise we will never sell any Waitrose product that does not meet our own high standards.

“This promise is regardless of the outcome of any trade deal.

“It is our promise to you. It is our promise to farmers. It is our promise to the nation.”