One of the big concerns of UK farmers is that at the same time as farm subsidies are reduced, the UK Government will lower tariff barriers to agriculture and food products in order to conclude trade deals that are beneficial to other sectors.
Earlier in the month the usually reliable Financial Times learned from government officials that the Department of International Trade was preparing to offer a 'big concession package' to US negotiators in the coming months to reduce the cost of some agricultural imports.
It was hoped that this would ease the path to a deal with the US. The aim was to secure a deal while the Trump administration was still securely in office as it was felt that an incoming Democratic administration would take a tougher stance.
Defra officials were reported by the Pink 'Un to be concerned that reducing tariffs could be 'the thin end of the wedge' leading to concessions on animal welfare standards. UK farmers generally adhere to high standards and can be undercut by countries with lower standards.
A long-standing complaint of the US is that its beef, chicken and pork has been shut out of European markets because of high tariffs and restrictive regulations. These are, of course, sectors that are already in some jeopardy in the UK.
Not all Conservatives are enthusiastic about selling out to the Americans, although deteriorating relations with China have shut off one strategic option available to 'Global Britain', i.e., cosying up to the PRC in the manner of Dave Cameron and George Osborne.
A battle of the lightweights has been taking place between Defra secretary George 'Useless' Eustice and Liz Truss, the international trade secretary. Someone has been feeding stories to the Daily Mail and the Daily Express claiming that she was set to betray UK farmers despite being a Norfolk MP.
However, it now appears that Boris Johnson has come down on George Eustice's side in what had become a Cabinet split. The intervention of 'Mr Fixit' Michael Gove on Eustice's side may have been decisive. Johnson may have been fearing another dagger in his back, but his partner's interest in animal welfare issues may have played its part.
It was alleged in court that Carrie Symonds intervened to stop an extension of a badger cull to Derbyshire, but the NFU lost its attempt to secure a judicial review.
Life was much simpler for Boris Johnson when he simply had to worry about traffic problems in London rather than badger culls and 'Hilton beef'.
Bozza declared 'We must not let our farmers down. One of the reasons for leaving the EU is we can do things differently and better on things like animal welfare.'
