60 DAYS to save the British family farm

Mounting Tory rebellion as Trade Secretary Liz Truss is accused of plotting to betray UK farmers for Trump deal that could see stores f looded with sub-standard imports

A DEEP split has opened up in the Government over a trade deal with Donald Trump, with the Cabinet Minister in charge of negotiations accused of planning to turn Britain into a ‘pariah state’ by allowing the import of cheap foods pumped with antibiotics and hormones.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has clashed with Environment Secretary George Eustice, who fears that Ms Truss is preparing to ditch the UK’s animal welfare and environmental standards in order to strike a deal with the White House after Britain’s transition period with the EU ends in December.

Mr Eustice is understood to be concerned that flooding the UK market with cheap American products could drive many British farmers out of business – but Ms Truss insists that she has no intention of lowering standards.

The row comes amid growing Tory concern over the Agriculture Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, because it does not set any environmental or welfare rules for farm imports after Brexit at the end of the year.

The Bill, which cleared the Commons earlier this month, is expected to become law within the next 60 days as the Government tries to rush it on to the statute book before the summer recess. An attempt by MPs to amend the Bill to stop the dumping of cheap, sub-standard products on UK markets was defeated by 328 votes to 277 – despite 22 Conservative MPs supporting the amendment.

Last night Minette Batters, the president of the National Farmers’ Union, said that unless the Bill was amended, Ministers would not be obliged to block imports such as chlorinated chicken or beef injected with hormones.

She said: ‘Brexit was meant to be about the creation of a bigger, better Britain, not turning us into a pariah state with no consideration for animal welfare.

‘We could have only 60 days to save our family farmers’.

The way the Bill is framed also means that environmental subsidies could be paid to landowners, even if they do not use their land for farming. Current EU rules stipulate that the handouts can only be given if the land is used for agriculture or livestock.

Tory rebels believe Ms Truss, backed by senior figures on the free-trade wing of the party, such as former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and former Trade Secretary Liam Fox, is happy to lower standards in a rush to strike a deal before the US presidential election in November.

The rebels also point to the sacking of Theresa Villiers as Environment Secretary earlier this year after she had been engaged in a long-running private battle with Ms Truss over whether US foodstuffs should be allowed into the UK. An ally of Ms Villiers said :‘ Liz certainly strongly believes that the Americans are unlikely to accept any trade deal which doesn’t include complete liberalisation of trade in food.’

The source added that until earlier this year, Ms Villiers thought that Boris Johnson had supported her on this against the ‘full liberalisation’ tendencies of Ms Truss.

The ally said: ‘Liz had been in dispute with Theresa more or less from the time Theresa was appointed, with Liz pressing for liberalisation and Theresa saying hold on, we need to make sure we safeguard our standards.

‘Theresa thought she had No 10 on her side, especially after the strong words that went in the Tory manifesto on this subject.

‘Then suddenly, the PM made a speech on trade which mentioned Liz four times. That was followed up by a difficult meeting about what we were going to allow our negotiators to put on the table with the Americans.

‘ Theresa felt at the end of it that perhaps Liz had won the argument with the PM.’

Ms Villiers was unavailable for comment. Sources say her concerns over the need for Britain to maintain ‘food security’ have only increased since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

Tory MP Simon Hoare, one of the 22 rebels, said: ‘I would say quite clearly to the Secretary of State for Trade [Ms Truss] that she should actually spend her time going out and dealing with a trade deal that has equivalence and makes sure we actually export our very important animal and environmental welfare.

‘And I’d say to the Americans, why don’t you upgrade your production? Why don’t you reduce the density of population of your chicken? Why don’t you reduce the amount of antibiotics you’re using and then you can actually produce better chicken not only for America, it can also come into this country.

‘Let’s not be frightened of putting clauses into this Bill that protect the great environment and welfare that the whole Bill wants to have and farmers want to have’.

A Government spokesman said: ‘The UK is renowned for its high environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards.

‘ And we will safeguard our agriculture sector – we’ve just announced a policy which maintains tariffs on key agricultural products such as lamb, beef, and poultry.

‘We have been clear that in all of our trade negotiations – including with the US in our first round of negotiations – that we will not undermine our high domestic environmental protection, animal welfare and food safety standards, by ensuring that in any agreement British farmers are always able to compete.’