UK swipes that Canada is not ‘serious’ about a trade deal as two years of talks break down over cheese and beef standoff

Britain has accused Canada of not being “serious” about a trade deal after talks on beef and cheese restrictions collapsed.

Negotiations have been going on for two years to deepen the arrangements that were part of the wider pact with the EU.

However, they have essentially collapsed, apparently due to Canada’s tough stance on agricultural restrictions.

A UK government spokesperson said: ‘We have always said we will only negotiate trade deals that deliver results for the British people.

“And we reserve the right to suspend negotiations with any country if progress is not made.

“We remain open to resuming discussions with Canada in the future to build a stronger trade relationship that benefits businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic.”

The Canadian government is under pressure from the beef industry and domestic cheese makers. Pictured: Caerphilly cheese

The previous agreement allowed Britain to continue selling cars and cheese in the North American country without Canada imposing import taxes.

However, the Canadian government is under pressure from the beef industry and domestic cheese makers.

Britain traded with Canada on terms that largely replicated the arrangements that existed from Britain’s time in the EU.

Negotiations on a new agreement began in March 2022.

A British government source said Canada “seems to have lost sight of the bigger picture: the British and Canadian companies that do £26 billion worth of trade a year and the people they employ.”

The source added: “If Canada comes back to the table with a serious offer and a desire to make progress, we’re all ears, but in the meantime we’ll focus on other trade deals that deliver results for British businesses. ‘

A spokeswoman for Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng told the BBC she was “disappointed” by the halt to the talks and had told Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch as much.

Ms Ng’s spokeswoman added: “Their decision to maintain market access barriers for our agricultural sector and unwillingness to reach a mutual agreement has only stalled negotiations.”

Ms Ng added on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Canada’s “government will never agree to a deal that is not good for our workers, farmers and businesses.”

A spokeswoman for Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng told the BBC she was “disappointed” by the halt to talks and told Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch as much (pictured)

Minette Batters, chair of the Nation Farmers’ Union of England and Wales, praised the government for “sticking to its line and not giving in.”

She told BBC Radio 4’s Today program that it was vital that hormone-treated beef was not allowed into the country.

‘It is a relief for the farmers. This has been going on for a long time and it’s about strengthening the trading relationship between Britain and Canada.

‘Trade in agricultural products is always the first thing discussed and the last thing agreed upon. “I am glad the government has stuck to its line and not given in,” she said.

Ms. Batters added, “Canada has played hardball for a long time. It always came to a critical point as to who would capitulate.”