FOR a second time, MPs overturned measures from peers aimed at protecting UK food standards in future trade deals.

The House of Commons voted 331 to 272, majority 59, to disagree with a House of Lords amendment to the Agriculture Bill which sought to ensure imported foodstuffs met equivalent benchmarks to those followed by UK producers.

This would have related to animal welfare, environmental protection and food safety.

However, at the vote on November 4, MPs backed a Government amendment to the Bill to increase parliamentary scrutiny of free trade agreements and for extra detail on how measures are consistent with maintaining UK standards.

Somerset MPs who voted against the House of Lords amendments include Ian Liddell-Grainger (Bridgwater and West Somerset), John Penrose (Weston-super-Mare), David Warburton (Somerton and Frome) and Marcus Fysh (Yeovil).

After the vote Mick Clark, Yeovil Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesman, said: “The Conservatives promised to protect British farmers, but they have betrayed that promise.

“We now risk seeing foods that are currently illegal in the UK - like hormone treated beef, and fruit and vegetables produced using banned pesticides - making it onto our supermarket shelves.

“Marcus Fysh should hang his head in shame.

“He has let everyone across South Somerset down by putting Boris Johnson’s government first.”

Mr Fysh responded: “Food standards will not be reduced and it is a shame that campaigners continue to scaremonger about this.

“The Government has recently announced the Trade and Agriculture Commission will be given enhanced power to scrutinise trade deals as part of our commitment to high standards, in what the NFU have called a ‘landmark moment’.

“The amendments were rejected because they would place us outside the world trade system, unable to lead on standards, unable to roll over existing trade deals and arrangements, unable to do a deal with the EU or with other countries, and unable to send our premium products like cheese and beef to them.

“It’s time to get behind our farmers by focusing on what we do and doing it even better, and pursuing the great opportunities that are out there rather than pandering to protectionism.”