Reciprocal trade on beef with US

[GreenFressia]

What does this mean for the UK?

And veg and cereal. It’s not great is it?

I'm reasonably sure it won't be compulsory to buy it.

Hoping the labelling will be sufficiently clear to allow consumers to give US imported food a swerve. Not keen on those food standards tbh….

I love American steaks, it has a delicious flavour as the cattle are corn fed.

But it will still end up in our food. Manufacturers will buy it if it’s cheap, and they don’t disclose where it has come from on the list of ingredients on their packaging.

Another reason to ditch processed stuff that comes packaged…

It will be cheap. People will buy it.

That's a fair point. I hadn't thought of that because I rarely buy ready meals and never buy anything containing beef because DS is intolerant to it.

Buy British. I buy meat from a local butcher.

Why is Starmer brown-nosing Trump? Surely he knows that Trump cannot be trusted.

I'm not a farmer, but live in a rural area with several cattle farms where stock mooch about in fields. There's a world of difference between grass-fed and corn-fed beef that goes beyond feed and into animal welfare. Here's a quick round up but the feedlot beef will always be cheaper to buy.

Grass-fed cattle:

1. Omega-3 fatty acids: Essential for heart and brain health, grass-fed beef boasts a higher ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids compared to its corn-fed counterpart. This balance is vital for reducing inflammation in the body.
2. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA): This powerful antioxidant, found in higher concentrations in grass-fed beef, has been linked to potential anti-cancer benefits and improved insulin sensitivity.
3. Vitamins: It's a rich source of vitamins A and E, both potent antioxidants. Vitamin A is crucial for vision and immune function, while vitamin E protects cells from damage.

Corn-fed cattle is still a source of protein and certain nutrients but are raised in feedlots and fed corn and soya. Typically kept in crowded conditions, hence the need to use antibiotics.

• Higher in unhealthy fats: Corn-fed beef tends to have a higher proportion of saturated and monounsaturated fats compared to grass-fed beef. Excess consumption of these fats might contribute to increased cholesterol levels and an elevated risk of heart disease.
• Potential for antibiotic resistance: The use of antibiotics in conventional corn-fed beef production, while regulated, raises concerns about the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, posing potential risks to human health.

Once US beef hits supermarkets, it will be a purse v ethics dilemma for consumers.

People will buy it as it will be cheaper, like they buy those cheap chickens

Is all uk beef grass fed, then? It’s something I read in healthy eating articles, and wondered about.

While most British cattle is indeed grass-fed, in the months leading up to slaughter many cattle are 'finished' on grain or supplementary feed to increase weight and marbling. So we aren't talking mass production feedlot bred cattle.

I stopped buying Australian beef/lamb when I found out that it is legal for cattle over 6 months old to be transported for up to 48hrs without water.

I guess the devil is in the details. How much will they send over? Surely Starmer didn’t totally shaft the current cattle industry?

There seems to be relatively little response about it. Yet.

Agree if it's clearly labelled it will be easier but I am still deeply concerned that this is a bad move.

Beef is a staple in many families diets and health is the outcome of the effects lots of smaller choices.

Personally I believe much of the US/UK trade deal is for political appearance and making Trump look successful. I gather it’s only a concept and would need approval by congress.
More detail needed

Great if you can afford it. It's not ok for people with less money to have to eat crap hormone-fed meat.

I agree with you. Although hormones are banned in the UK I find that supermarket meat is pumped full of water which is why it suddenly shrinks to a third of the size when cooked.

Wish you would have included some links for specifics.

In Ireland people buy Irish in the supermarket but all the chicken in most restaurants, all the processed foods and even in the school lunches is from Asia. So I would assume that US beef will end up in this type of mass produced food in the UK.

I find it difficult to believe that food that is more expensive in the US will be cheaper when exported to the UK.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/landmark-economic-deal-with-united-states-saves-thousands-of-jobs-for-british-car-makers-and-steel-industry

Does this not happen already with other products/countries??