Meanwhile the animal welfare debate continues in the Conservative Party. Here Shanker Singham presents well the orthodox US case of EU protectionism in agriculture. It isn't though the whole story... conservativehome.com/platform/2020/…
In particular I think this interpretation is simply outdated - if a world trade system can't take account of animal welfare or climate change then it isn't fit for purpose in the 21st century. Applied in a non-discriminatory way countries should be able to set such standards. 
If Brexit means sovereignty is more important than economic growth, as I am repeatedly told with regard to an EU trade deal, then that should also apply to us not simply taking a US approach to agriculture to secure a trade deal. Let's decide on our own approach.
The NFU had an idea for a commission on trade and agriculture, which I always thought a good idea even if others thought too late. Government doesn't seem interested, but perhaps some other group could convene it instead? Explore the issues in proper detail.
