MP joins calls for a Food Standards Commission to protect Cumbrian farmers in future trade deals

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has written to DEFRA Secretary George Eustice calling for a Food Standards Commission to be set up to prevent Cumbrian farmers from being undercut in future trade deals.

Last week Tim met with representatives from the National Farmers' Union (NFU) who are deeply concerned that without measures in place the market could be flooded with cheap imported food produced to much lower standards.

Tim signed and voted for an amendment to the Agriculture Bill to protect UK food standards during its third reading, but it was voted down by Conservative MPs.

The NFU currently have a 900,000-strong petition calling on the Government to put into law rules that prevent food being imported to the UK which is produced in ways that would be illegal here.

Tim said: "The UK has the highest animal welfare, food safety and environmental protections in the world.

"But there is a huge danger that the Government will sacrifice these high standards in its desperation to sign a trade deal with the USA.

"That's why we need a Food Standards Commission with the powers to protect our local farmers and the high standards they are rightly proud to uphold in any future trade negotiation."