NFU and Friends of the Earth join forces to push for post-Brexit standards protection

“We recognise this is a complex pledge to secure, and one which ought to extend beyond specific trade negotiations to our wider trade policy and obligations as an independent member of the World Trade Organisation.”

Ms Batters and Mr Bennet also pushed for the Government to establish a ‘formal forum’ for industry bodies to ‘engage intensively’ on matters of post-Brexit trade.

The demand comes shortly after Ms Villiers backtracked on her predecessor, Michael Gove’s, promise to set up a Trade and Food Commission.

Commit

At Oxford Farming Conference earlier this month, the Secretary of State would not commit to establish a commission, instead saying officials were still deciding whether existing ‘working groups’ could be used instead.

A Government spokesperson said: “We remain committed to upholding our high environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards post-Brexit.

“The Government will stand firm in trade negotiations to ensure any future trade deals live up to the values of farmers and consumers across the UK.”