Lords backing bid to protect UK standards

Mr Shand also questioned the company’s shelf-life and freezing policy, stating good practice laws on frozen beef mean it can be frozen for up to six months, but no more than 12 months. He said: “Your best before date of July 2021 from an animal slaughtered in November 2019 covers 20 months, way in excess of accepted norms.”

Booker said it was a proud supporter of the British meat industry and insisted the incident was “an isolated, local incident” caused by human error. The company said it had regular Environmental Health visits which had not identified any issues and added: “We are sorry this incident occurred and have taken steps to reiterate to our colleagues the correct procedures.”

Booker also said it was “standard practice for the frozen food industry to give a two-year shelf life on beef, lamb and pork which is frozen at source”.

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.