Nigel Farage Defends US Chlorinated Chicken in Trade Deal Amid Rising Reform UK Support

Lancashire, UK — April 20, 2025

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has defended the potential import of chlorinated chicken from the United States as part of a post-Brexit trade agreement, arguing that British consumers are already consuming imported food produced under low welfare standards.

Speaking on the campaign trail ahead of the 1 May local elections in England, Farage told The Sunday Times that UK supermarkets already sell chlorine-washed lettuce and chicken from Thailand, which he claims is raised in poor conditions.

> “If you have a look at the chicken we are currently importing from Thailand… and that every single bag of pre-made salad in every single supermarket has been chlorinated — once those basics have been accepted, I’ll have a debate with you,” Farage said.

The comments come amid increasing speculation that Reform UK could emerge as a major political force. A new MRP poll by More in Common suggests that Reform could win more seats than both Labour and the Conservatives in a general election, even with a slightly lower vote share.

When asked about the impact of cheap US chicken imports on domestic poultry farmers, Farage stated he wants to elevate British farming as a premium brand.

> “I want to promote British farming as being a high-end product. I think the growth of farmers’ markets… shows there’s a discerning audience that wants to know where their meat comes from,” he said. “I don’t think British farmers have anything to fear from this long term.”

Currently, the UK bans imports of chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-treated beef — products common in the US. Successive UK governments, including the Conservatives, have resisted US pressure to allow such imports as part of trade negotiations. Former US President Donald Trump had pushed to include agriculture in any future US-UK trade deal, linking it to tariff reductions on UK exports like cars and steel.

Farage also addressed recent tensions with tech billionaire Elon Musk, a prominent figure in right-wing US politics and owner of X (formerly Twitter). Musk reportedly urged Farage to adopt a harder stance on immigration and support far-right activist Tommy Robinson. However, Farage dismissed the pressure:

> “I’ve fought against this for 25 years. You can’t bully me,” he said. “Nobody pushes me around — not even him.”

Reform UK is aiming to capitalize on voter dissatisfaction with the major parties, challenging both Labour and the Conservatives in key council contests. While Labour under Keir Starmer remains narrowly ahead in most national polls, the local elections and a potential general election could see Reform make significant gains.

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