UK Government set for court challenge over environmental impact of Australia trade deal
Source: The DairyNews
The UK Government is poised for a legal challenge in the High Court regarding potential environmental ramifications arising from the post-Brexit trade agreement with Australia.
Feedback, an environmental campaign group, has filed for a court hearing, expressing concerns that the trade deal, scheduled to take effect in May, could allow Australian producers to surpass British farmers on environmental standards.
The High Court has given the green light for an initial hearing, with legal representation provided by Leigh Day on behalf of Feedback. The challenge is centered on the UK Government's failure to provide information on the likely emissions impact of the trade deal, asserting that Australia's meat and dairy production is generally more emissions-intensive than that of the UK.
Feedback also contends that the UK Government might be violating its legal, international climate, and biodiversity obligations. Carina Millstone, Executive Director of Feedback, emphasized the necessity for the government to thoroughly assess the climate impacts of its trade deals. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that trade aligns with efforts to reduce emissions globally.
Notably, this legal challenge coincides with another High Court case where Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth, and the Good Law Project are leading a legal challenge against the UK Government's overarching net-zero strategy.
There are also doubts about whether the UK-AUS deal could encourage increased meat and dairy consumption in the UK due to the provision of cheaper ingredients to supermarkets and the food service industry.
The UK Government’s climate advisors have recommended a 20% reduction in per-capita red meat and dairy production this decade as part of a broader package of measures to align food systems with the nation’s legally binding climate targets. Henry Dimbleby, in drawing up recommendations for the Food Strategy, called for a steeper 30% reduction.
The High Court has given the green light for an initial hearing, with legal representation provided by Leigh Day on behalf of Feedback. The challenge is centered on the UK Government's failure to provide information on the likely emissions impact of the trade deal, asserting that Australia's meat and dairy production is generally more emissions-intensive than that of the UK.
Feedback also contends that the UK Government might be violating its legal, international climate, and biodiversity obligations. Carina Millstone, Executive Director of Feedback, emphasized the necessity for the government to thoroughly assess the climate impacts of its trade deals. She highlighted the importance of ensuring that trade aligns with efforts to reduce emissions globally.
Notably, this legal challenge coincides with another High Court case where Friends of the Earth, ClientEarth, and the Good Law Project are leading a legal challenge against the UK Government's overarching net-zero strategy.
There are also doubts about whether the UK-AUS deal could encourage increased meat and dairy consumption in the UK due to the provision of cheaper ingredients to supermarkets and the food service industry.
The UK Government’s climate advisors have recommended a 20% reduction in per-capita red meat and dairy production this decade as part of a broader package of measures to align food systems with the nation’s legally binding climate targets. Henry Dimbleby, in drawing up recommendations for the Food Strategy, called for a steeper 30% reduction.
