Tories rebel as Truss accused of 'plot to betray UK farmers' for Trump deal

A deep split has opened up in the Government over a trade deal with Donald Trump, with the Cabinet Minister in charge of negotiations accused of planning to turn Britain into a ‘pariah state’ by allowing the import of cheap foods pumped with antibiotics and hormones. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss has clashed with Environment Secretary George Eustice, who fears that Ms Truss is preparing to ditch the UK’s animal welfare and environmental standards in order to strike a deal with the White House after Britain’s transition period with the EU ends in December. Mr Eustice is understood to be concerned that flooding the UK market with cheap American products could drive many British farmers out of business – but Ms Truss insists that she has no intention of lowering standards. The row comes amid growing Tory concern over the Agriculture Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, because it does not set any environmental or welfare rules for farm imports after Brexit at the end of the year. Last night Minette Batters, the president of the National Farmers’ Union, said that unless the Bill was amended, Ministers would not be obliged to block imports such as chlorinated chicken or beef injected with hormones. Gallery: Brexit day at a glace (Photo Services)  The United Kingdom is now officially out of the European Union, three-and-a-half years after a referendum on membership of the bloc was unexpectedly won by the Leave side. The poll uncovered deep fault lines in British society, and subsequent arguments over when and how the U.K. should depart, if at all, caused political paralysis until a decisive victory by Boris Johnson in ageneral election called to resolve the deadlock last month. European Union chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier arrives for a media conference in Brussels, on Jan. 31. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen speaks as she participates in a media conference in Brussels on Jan. 31. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives at 10 Downing Street for talks focused on a post-Brexit free trade deal, in London, on Jan. 30. Tory rebels believe Ms Truss, backed by senior figures on the free-trade wing of the party, such as former Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and former Trade Secretary Liam Fox, is happy to lower standards in a rush to strike a deal before the US presidential election in November. The rebels also point to the sacking of Theresa Villiers as Environment Secretary earlier this year after she had been engaged in a long-running private battle with Ms Truss over whether US foodstuffs should be allowed into the UK. A Government spokesman said: ‘The UK is renowned for its high environmental, food safety and animal welfare standards.

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