South Northamptonshire MP defends vote against post-Brexit food standards amendment

South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom has defended her decision to vote against measures designed to protect food standards after Brexit.

Conservative MPs rejected the House of Lords' amendments to the Agriculture Bill, which would have forced the government to ensure standards are maintained in any trade deals, on Wednesday (November 4).

Mrs Leadsom argued the Agriculture Bill does not compromise on the UK’s already high standards of environmental protection, animal welfare and food standards and they will not be lowered having left the EU.

"I was Secretary of State for DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) when we set out this policy, and I remain completely committed to it and I do not believe that farmers need to worry – the government will always be on their side."

The peers' changes were voted down by 331 to 272, for the second time, with a similar amendment by ministers approved instead, which will now to the Lords for scrutiny.

Environment minister and Banbury MP, Victoria Prentis, said the amendment would cause problems as drafted for negotiators and impose burdensome administrative measures on trading partners.

More than a million people have signed an NFU petition calling for MPs to outlaw imports of food produced in ways that are illegal in the UK.

But the Liberal Democrats believe the amendments should have been accepted as they would have given more protection to British farmers.

South Northamptonshire Lib Dem spokesperson David Tarbun added: “The Conservatives promised to protect British farmers, but today 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 pesticide - making it onto our supermarket shelves.

“Representing rural South Northamptonshire, Andrea Leadsom should hang her head in shame.

"They have let everyone across South Northamptonshire down by putting Boris Johnson’s government first.”