MP tables motion in Parliament to protect British food and farming standards

On Back British Farming Day, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has tabled an Early Day Motion in Parliament calling on the Government to protect UK food and farming standards in future trade deals.

It comes as the Government are said to be on the brink of agreeing a controversial trade deal with New Zealand, with fears that it could lead to local farmers being unable to compete with a flood of cheap imports.

The NFU's president Minette Batters has warned of a "very real risk" that if the UK government gets the trade negotiations wrong, British farming will suffer "irreversible damage".

Meanwhile the RSPCA say that a lack of transparency about the trade deal talks had set 'alarm bells' about animal welfare protections in the UK.

Tim said: "Our farmers do such vital work in feeding us and looking after our stunning landscape and environment.

"But they are being sold down the river by this Conservative Government who are cutting their funding and undermining their high animal welfare and environmental standards in trade deals.

"On Back British Farming Day, farmers deserve better than just warm words from the Government - they need to see real action to protect their livelihoods."