AN Oldham MP has warned that the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill could ‘open the door’ to imported products such as hormone-fed beef and chlorine washed chicken.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Tuesday, Oldham MP and Shadow DEFRA Secretary Jim McMahon welcomed the second reading of the Animal Welfare (Sentience) Bill but said more is needed to protect animal welfare across the world.

While the Oldham MP supported measures in the bill and agreed that the Labour Party would not force a vote on it, he did outline that this bill does not prevent the UK from importing products that would be illegal to produce here in the UK.

Mr McMahon said: “Although the government talks a good game on animal welfare, we have seen trade deals signed which not only undermine British farmers and producers but allow for the UK government to essentially outsource animal cruelty in the supply chain to other countries.”

“The Government could have used this bill as an opportunity to address animal welfare concerns in relation to those trade deals. As the RSCPA acknowledges, the free trade agreement with Australia does not give any guarantee on equivalence of standards for imported products.”

“The Labour Party share the RSPCA’s concerned that this bill could open the door to imported products such as hormone-fed beef and chlorine washed chicken produced to a lower standard and standards that will be illegal here in the UK.”

Mr McMahon, who had worked as the shadow transport secretary since April 2020, was given the role of shadow environment secretary following the reshuffle from party leader Sir Keir Starmer.

He said in a statement: "I am keen to expand my experience and broaden my perspective on the issues facing different communities across the country, and so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in to a new role as Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)."

The Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs were contacted but did not respond before the paper went to print.