PMQs: Victoria Atkins MP asks Prime Minister to '˜back British farming'

Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Ms Atkins said: “Last weekend, thousands of people from across Lincolnshire came to the Revesby races in my constituency to enjoy the racing and the delicious local food, including award-winning Lincolnshire sausages.

“As the Government prepare to strike new international trade deals, will my Right Honourable Friend ensure that the high standards we expect of our food producers and farmers will be met and maintained in these deals, and will this Government continue to back British farming?”

The Prime Minister replied: “I can assure my Honourable Friend that we will certainly do that. I remember, when I visited her prior to the general election in 2015, sampling some of the excellent Lincolnshire sausages that come from her constituency.

“We have an opportunity to build a new future for our food and farming industry when we leave the European Union.

“We will maintain the UK’s high standards of food safety and of animal welfare; that will be a priority for us.

“Any trade deals we enter into will need to be right for consumers, for businesses and for farmers, and will need to ensure our food safety and environmental protection, and of course the animal welfare standards I have just referred to.

“We recognise the need for certainty for businesses. We have already provided guarantees on support for farmers up to 2020, and I can assure her that we will continue to back British farmers.”