Trump’s ambassador to UK insists chlorine-washed chicken should not be banned as trade tensions mount — US ambassador suggests introducing chemical washing to British farms

THE American ambassador to the UK has warned that chlorine-washed chicken farming practices should not be banned in the country as trade tensions mount with the EU.

In an interview with the BBC, Alberto Fernandez suggested the restrictions would “ensure safety, be equitable and necessary”.

He went on to insist that the proposed EU ban on chlorine-washed chicken for sale in the UK were being “exploited” by the Brexiteers.

EPA USA: Ambassador Alberto Fernandez said chlorine-washed chicken practices were 'exploited' by Brexiteers

EPA Italy, Belgium and Denmark have banned the use of chlorine-washed chicken in their dairy industry

EPA Brussels-based agriculture group the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) has recently joined the push for the industry to stop exporting its products

“But if they proposed imposing such a ban, the answer to it has to be that that is absolutely essential, and that is why these restriction are being enforced to ensure safety, be equitable and necessary,” he said.

Though the UK currently has no limits on the sale of the chemical, which is commonly used to disinfect foodstuffs at high temperatures and bio-degradable in-house, its use has been rigorously tested.

Mr Fernandez said the industry uses “methane-enriched” chemicals called pyrolysis.

EPA The ban on chlorine-washed chicken in the UK is not yet in place

EPA Speaking to the BBC, he said: 'The answer to it has to be that that is absolutely essential'

EPA Ambassador Alberto Fernandez has been deeply critical of the moves by the EU to ban the chemical in produce in response to a retail price explosion

The General Manager of EFTA’s poultry association said the chemicals were being used in the industrial chicken industry.

Demanding the use of more nimble, more locally-controlled waste in the wider food chain would have both positive and negative effects, he said.

EPA Protesters in Copenhagen clashed with riot police on Tuesday as workers continued to protest over the move

EPA It comes after US President Donald Trump said the trade tariffs on EU-made goods were 'the greatest, if not the greatest, protection of the American workers'

EPA Demonstrators in Denmark chanted 'make us rich or die'

EPA Farmers believe large-scale production of the chemical, which has a high viscosity, could damage their own traditional egg-laying industry

He said: “It is clear that these chemicals are being exploited not only by the industry, but by several EU states, Russia and China, who are leading this effort, which was supported by their public, in a non-referendum way.

“Each state has no responsibility. It is left to the market.

"They all want the same thing - but no-one cares about the purity of the benefits.”