Angela Eagle Defends EU Food Deal Ahead of Summit

Environment Secretary Dame Angela Eagle dismissed concerns that a proposed food trade deal with the European Union would restrict labels on products like smoky bacon crisps, telling an interviewer to "get a life." The dispute involves EU regulations on using meat-related names for meat-free products, though the European Snacks Association has proposed an amendment to exempt snacks from these rules.

Eagle argued that aligning with EU standards will drive economic growth and benefit farmers by removing the costs and frictions introduced by Brexit. Despite these goals, she declined a requested 24-month transition period for producers to adapt to the new standards.

These developments precede a November 20 summit in Brussels, where Prime Minister Andy Burnham intends to seek agreements on food, farming, emissions trading, and youth mobility to eliminate export checks. Separately, former EU negotiator Michel Barnier stated that the UK could negotiate rejoining the bloc without adopting the euro, provided it accepts the single market and freedom of movement, while rejecting any "cherry-picking" of rules.