George Eustice refuses to guarantee ban on chlorinated chicken

Environment secretary says there are 'no plans' to change law to clinch US trade deal

The environment secretary has refused to give a firm guarantee that the government will not allow chlorine-washed chicken to be imported into the UK as part of a trade deal with the US.

While stressing that chlorinated chicken was currently illegal in the UK, and that the government was committed to maintaining high standards, George Eustice's declaration that the government had "no plans" to change the law was more equivocal than assurances given by his predecessor, who said the current law would stay.