Union claims poultry imports put UK jobs at risk

European Union proposals to allow increases in cheap poultry imports from non-EU countries could threaten thousands of rural jobs, according to the Transport and General Workers Union.

The ‘plough to plate’ union warns of dire consequences for the UK poultry industry if cheap poultry imports, that do not meet UK animal welfare standards, are increased by 275,000 tonnes.

T&G general secretary Tony Woodley has written to Defra Secretary Margaret Beckett to highlight that government-supported industry in Brazil, for example, could produce poultry costing 40 per cent less on average than UK producers.

Mr Woodley writes: “I would very much appreciate the opportunity to meet with you in the near future to discuss this very important matter in more detail. It would also be of great benefit if the Government could explain what position it has taken to date within the EU on this matter.”