A LEADING Cumbrian farmer has voiced his concern that safeguards to protect producers from lower-standard food imports were left out when the UK Agriculture Bill was heard in the Commons last week.

West Cumbrian sheep farmer and National Farmers Union Cumbrian Council Delegate, Alistair Mackintosh said that failure of MPs to include the clause would 'throw up challenges for the agriculture industry.' "I am disappointed that the industry did not make any headway in the new farming bill. Government seems to be more concerned about cheap food, than having a level playing field for British farmers in future trade agreements."

Senior Conservative MPs Simon Hoare and Neil Parish led the push for the Bill, which sets out new policy as the UK quits the EU-wide Common Agricultural Policy, to include a clause guaranteeing that post-Brexit food imports would match the UK’s high food and environmental standards but their amendment fell by 277 votes to 328. Cumbrian MPs John Stevenson, Trudy Harrison and Mark Jenkinson voted against the amendments.NFU Regional Director David Hall said: "I’d like to thank the Cumbrian MPs who were supportive of the amendments, particularly Neil Hudson, who promised his support and kept his word."