As new figures show that 86% of the public believe future trade deals must ensure imported food is produced to the same standards as in the UK, the NFU is asking why the government hasn’t yet laid out its plans on how it will maintain British farming’s high standards in any future trade deals.

The survey of 2,000 adults by OnePoll also revealed that public support for UK farmers has equalled an all-time high, while the findings demonstrate the overwhelming support for the high standards of animal welfare, environmental protection and food safety that British farming guarantees.

NFU president Minette Batters said: “This sends a clear message to the government and our future Prime Minister just how strongly the public feel about not sacrificing British farmers in a future trade deal. The survey is clear – shoppers tell us they simply will not tolerate the Government signing post-Brexit trade deals which would see food on supermarket shelves that would be illegal to produce here.”

Mrs Batters highlighted that British farmers produce food to some of the highest standards in the world and these new statistics paint a very clear picture that the public hugely support what our food and farming sector delivers for the nation.

She added: “Food security and domestic food production should not be jeopardised or off-shored. It is strategically important for a country to have the ability to feed its people.

“A no-deal Brexit or a bad trade deal puts all that in danger and I urge the Government to recognise this as we enter the pivotal months ahead.”