Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has dismissed concerns that a potential Brexit deal could lead to a ban on "smoky bacon" flavored crisps, calling such fears "quirky Brussels rules" and urging critics to "get a life."
The comments come as reports indicate that Brussels is seeking substantial concessions from the UK ahead of a summit scheduled for November 20. Leaked documents suggest the EU is demanding an end to the deportation of EU criminals to their home countries and billions of pounds in financial contributions to improve living standards within member states.
A food and farming agreement is one of three deals Prime Minister Andy Burnham is expected to sign at the summit in Brussels. This agreement would likely see the UK adopt EU regulations on plant, animal, and food trade standards, aiming to eliminate post-Brexit checks on exports. However, this alignment has raised worries that manufacturers could be forced to rename products, such as "smoky bacon" crisps, if EU rules prohibiting the use of "meaty" terms for vegetarian foods are implemented.
"We've had EU straight bananas, and now we're talking about banning smoky bacon crisps, I think you should get a life," Eagle stated in comments to Times Radio. She emphasized that the deal is about facilitating trade with neighboring countries and unlocking economic growth by removing uncertainty and costs for British farmers and food producers exporting to the EU. "If you want to obsess about smoky bacon crisps, I suppose that's your choice," she added.
Draft documents also reveal potential agreements on emissions trading and a "youth experience scheme." The latter could allow between 75,000 and 80,000 young people annually to travel to the UK from the EU for up to three years, a figure reportedly higher than previously offered. Additionally, the UK may subsidize tuition fees for EU students in the UK, potentially costing around £450 million per year, to align them with domestic rates.
Financial contributions are also on the table, with draft statements suggesting the UK would commit funds for projects in less affluent EU regions, reflecting its participation in the EU's internal market. "We agree that the UK's participation in parts of the EU's internal market requires an appropriate level of financial contribution towards reducing economic and social disparities between the regions of the EU that reflects the degree of the UK's participation in the EU's internal market," the document reportedly states.
The government has stressed that no final decisions have been made and not all EU demands will be met. However, proponents of the deal, including Andy Burnham, highlight potential economic benefits. Treasury analysis suggests that easing food and farming exports could boost the UK's GDP by up to 0.4%, equivalent to £12 billion annually. "Now, that is a number that you cannot ignore," Burnham told The Economist, advocating for vigorous pursuit of the agreement.
Concerns have been voiced by some Brexiteers, who warn against the UK becoming a "rule-taker" and compromising the freedoms gained from leaving the EU. Meanwhile, former Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier has commented on the possibility of the UK rejoining the EU, stating that while rejoining the single market would require adhering to its full conditions, the door for future negotiations remains open.