Lords backing bid to protect UK standards

The UK Government has been heavily defeated in the Lords over a crossparty move to guarantee high food standards post-brexit.

Peers backed by a majority of 95 a change to the Agriculture Bill aimed at blocking the import of foodstuffs produced abroad at lower standards.

Voting was 307 to 212 for an amendment requiring food products imported under future trade deals to meet or exceed domestic standards to prevent UK farmers being undermined.

It was the second defeat for ministers on the legislation, as the Lords earlier backed a move banning the use of pesticides near homes and public buildings or spaces.

For the opposition, Lord Grantchester warned: “Low-quality food cannot be allowed to jeopardise rural communities by undercutting UK farmers with products using methods that would be illegal here.”

He said it was vital to signal to existing and future trade partners the UK was committed to championing high quality standards in food. The Bill now returns to the Commons for MPS to consider.