Jack Simpson

With news of a trade deal to be announced very soon between the UK and the US, I just asked the DEFRA Secretary if the PM has spoken to him about the impact this will have on British farmers. MPs must be given a vote on this deal if we are to protect farmers from being sold out.

Really worrying that Keir Starmer wouldn't commit to a vote in Parliament on a Trump trade deal when I asked him just now. If the government really thinks it's a good deal for Britain, what are they so afraid of?

is this anything

Core Environmental Standards would set a minimum production baseline for all agri-imports, allowing the UK to benefit from trade deals whilst ensuring a level playing field for farmers and protecting precious ecosystems: wwf.org.uk/food/core-envi….

The government promised to uphold the UK’s high agricultural standards and prevent unfair advantages for overseas producers. But lowering tariffs on goods that don’t meet similar UK standards risks offshoring and incentivising environmental harm. #FairTrade #SustainableFarming

It wasn't a dream. We really did it. 🥹🏆

Core standards would maintain a level playing field for farmers and stop the offshoring of damaging environmental practices, and is backed by farmer, environmental and consumer groups. wwf.org.uk/food/core-envi…

The scorer of our first Champions League goal in over 20 years 🇵🇾 Wor Miggy 🖤🤍

Great commentary by my colleagues David and Sofia: Options to address farmers’ financial concerns wwf.org.uk/articles/optio… @DefraGovUK #SustainableFarming #NFFN

Staggering post-Brexit divergence between (strong) services and (very very weak) goods trade continues

🌍💼 New Policy Brief alert! What should a UK trade strategy that responds to climate change look like? Our Citizens’ Assembly explored this vital question and delivered powerful recommendations for green trade leadership. @Mutual_Gain @QMUL Read more: tinyurl.com/4p8kmn2h

@holland_tom A podcast on St. Oswald inbound?

To the bonny banks of the Tweed!

An interesting thread- IHT has provided much food for thought (lol) on how we as a society view/envision our food system now and in the future. Which Dan posits further down here.

@StuartMaggs Presumably that's not a result farmers want, or they'd have done it already. Is it a result we as a society want? Are the economic effects positive (larger, more efficient, farms) or negative (lots of smaller <£1.5m less efficient farms)? What about the social consequences?

@ProagriLtd Powerful passages on current trade policy which is undermining our farmers and environment ambitions. It's time Government aligned trade with our wider priorities.

I’ve just had time to sit down and read this as I head into London for a big week ahead! Great piece by James and I hope someone is brave enough to pass it around the cabinet table in No.10!

Today is #Trade Day at #COP29. 🌍 Trade plays a major role in the #ClimateEmergency, yet current trade rules often block meaningful climate action. It’s time to rethink policies that have fuelled unsustainable pollution and consumption for decades. #ClimateJustice #TradeJustice

Death, taxes and UK delaying border policies: theguardian.com/world/2024/nov…

This Review is welcome and must rapidly establish plans to restore rivers lakes and seas to good health. Ambitious goals must be backed by ambitious action, and the process of the review shouldn't delay the government taking no regrets actions right now. 🌱 1/2

We’re in Parliament for the parliamentary launch of the Living Planet Report 2024. The new Living Planet Report shows a 73% decline in wildlife populations from 1970 to 2020. Read the report here: livingplanet.panda.org/en-GB/

UK Coal xkcd.com/2992