Bosworth's Tory MP has thrown British farmers on the scrapheap, Lib Dems warn

The Liberal Democrats have warned that Bosworth's Conservative MP has massively let down people in rural parts of the area for voting against measures to protect high food quality and animal welfare standards.

Conservative MPs rejected amendments to the Agriculture Bill [04/11/2020] which would have forced the UK Government to ensure that British food and animal welfare standards are maintained in any trade deals.

Bosworth's Conservative MP Luke Evans failed to back these measures, despite over a million people signing an NFU petition calling for the UK Government to put laws in place that prevent imports of food that is produced in ways that are illegal here in the UK.

The Liberal Democrats have committed to continuing the fight to protect British farmers, including exploring further amendments to the Trade Bill.

Hinckley and Bosworth Liberal Democrat Councillor Michael Mullaney said:

"The Conservatives promised to protect British farmers, but with these votes 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.

"We have many farmers in Hinckley and Bosworth and everyone is a consumer. Our Tory MP has let everyone across our area down by putting loyalty to Boris Johnson's government before Bosworth."

Liberal Democrat Rural Affairs Spokesperson Tim Farron said:

"Unlike the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats back British farming. We want the Government to work in partnership with UK farmers to protect our world class food and animal welfare standards, cut greenhouse gas emissions and support the recovery of our natural environment.

"We will do everything we can to continue the fight to protect British farmers, including exploring further amendments to the Trade Bill."