British Oatcake Ban Looms Under EU Food Safety Alignment Reset

Government ministers are engaged in critical negotiations with Brussels to protect British-grown oatcakes and the domestic oat industry from new European Union food safety regulations poised for automatic adoption under Sir Keir Starmer’s plans to realign UK agricultural standards with those of the bloc. The dispute, reminiscent of post-Brexit “sausage wars,” centres on strict EU limits regarding mycotoxins, natural moulds found in varying concentrations in oat crops.

The EU introduced restrictions on mycotoxin content following the UK’s departure from the single market, citing concerns over potential health risks if oat-derived products are consumed in large quantities. Farming representatives warn that such regulations may unfairly penalise British farmers, as the UK’s damp coastal climate increases the likelihood of mycotoxin presence. Industry leaders caution that significant quantities of the UK’s oat crop could be deemed unfit for human consumption during wet years, potentially leaving supermarket shelves devoid of locally produced oatcakes and impacting farmers’ livelihoods.

An assessment by the Food Standards Agency in 2014 found that mycotoxins in UK oat products remained well below accepted tolerable daily intake levels. The UK’s Committee on Toxicity subsequently reaffirmed the adequacy of British health-based rules, suggesting that existing regulations sufficiently protect consumers. Nevertheless, under the proposed reset, EU requirements would override current British standards without an exemption, posing a severe risk to domestic producers.

Negotiations are ongoing, led by Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for EU Relations, who has made the oat sector’s predicament a priority in discussions with EU counterparts. British officials seek a carve-out for UK oats as part of broader talks that include requests for exemptions in areas such as gene-edited crops. However, EU negotiators have expressed reluctance to grant opt-outs that could be seen as preferential treatment for Britain.

Tom Bradshaw, President of the National Farmers Union, has pressed the government to maintain the current, evidence-based regime. He emphasised the potentially devastating impact on British cereal farmers if the new EU rules are enforced domestically. Without special provision, an entire year’s crop might become unsaleable, reducing both the availability of British oat-based foods and the viability of domestic farms.

Government statements indicate that some carve-outs may be agreed upon as part of future trade arrangements, but the issue remains unresolved as formal negotiations continue. The debate follows earlier regulatory clashes during the Brexit transition, such as restrictions on British sausages, which ultimately led to labelling solutions instead of outright bans. A comprehensive food and drink agreement has the potential to streamline trade, bolster British business, and add significant value to the UK economy, though sensitive issues like mycotoxin regulation exemplify the complexity of regulatory alignment.