Lacking trust and faith in these leaders

est scrutiny of, in the blue corner, the Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade Ms Truss and, in the red corner, the dynamic Madam President of the union which apparently represents some of this country’s farmers.

The former a politician who has mysteriously glided from one government department to another without leaving the merest trace of her tenure or even existence in her wake (though has learned, to her apparent astonishment, that the UK imports cheese), and the other a determined, crusading Wiltshire farmer committed to taking up every challenge presenting itself and overcoming it, the better to lead British Agriculture plc to a brighter and more prosperous future. Except she hasn’t, the NFU’s recent failure to secure binding amendments to the Agriculture Bill representing merely her latest and somewhat humbling reverse.

Of course, the job of NFU president is one that demands a high degree of dedication, determination and diplomacy – but despite that,

Minette has done her best. Perhaps she can point proudly to a list of achievements other than being elected and re-elected. Since she refuses to share a public platform with me I am unable to question her in person as to what they might be but since I cannot actually perceive any, perhaps she could let me know.

But we must trust Minette on the matter of hooky America imports because I am afraid neither I nor any farmer I know has any faith in Liz Truss.

We should never forget that the letter she and George Eustice wrote to MPs assuring them that Domestos-flavoured chicken and pumpedup beef would never be allowed in did contain that telling get-out clause to the effect that legislation would be required in order for that to happen. And if we are taking about matters of trust then I would trust this Government implicitly to do just that as and when it suited. And while Waitrose and now Aldi have both declared they won’t be stocking the stuff, the catering and processing sector will be there receiving it gratefully like manna from heaven.

Once it disappears through their doors it will be turned into ready meals which as the law on country of last process labelling currently stands, will exit into the market place flying the union flag of convenience and described quite legitimately as British products. And no one will be any the wiser.

The catering and processing sector will

be there receiving it gratefully like manna

from heaven