Farmers ‘forced to throw away food’ in new Keir Starmer Brexit betrayal | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Labour’s Brexit betrayal may power UK farmers to throw away domestically-produced meals, an professional has warned. Sir Keir Starmer’s capitulation to the EU may contain making use of the bloc’s meals guidelines to Britain, placing contemporary regulatory stress on an trade already grappling with world-class ranges of pink tape.

Karen Betts, chief govt of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) mentioned the British sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal, which is able to see the UK successfully undertake EU agricultural rules from subsequent 12 months, may go away producers with no alternative put to scrap merchandise together with oven chips, bread, cake and crisps.

The SPS deal was signed as a part of the Labour Government’s Brexit reset in May 2025, and is anticipated to require farmers to adapt to realigned rules of pesticide approvals, amongst different adjustments, from mid-2027.

Ms Betts instructed The Telegraph: “If your potato was grown using a pesticide that is not approved by the EU, then potentially when it gets to supermarket sale in three years’ time, it is not going to be allowed to be sold.”

She referred to as on the Government to “make sure that the transition period is flexible enough that companies can handle those sorts of situations so we don’t end up with loads of food waste and loads of oven chips being dumped”.

It’s not the primary time trade voices have sounded the alarm over the influence of nearer ties with the EU on British farmers, who’re nonetheless reeling from Rachel Reeves’ introduction of 20% inheritance tax, changing a earlier exemption.

Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers’ Union, mentioned a pivot in the direction of the bloc ought to be sure that “British farmers aren’t unduly bound by rules which restrict our ambitions for food production”.

A Government spokesperson mentioned: “Our food and drink deal will deliver billions for British industry; a smooth transition is critical to unlocking that growth. The deal will mean fresher food on more supermarket shelves quicker, better export opportunities for our farmers and stronger food security for the future.

“We are working carefully with farmers and producers to present them extra info on preparing for brand new preparations. We will proceed to offer extra assist as soon as deadlines and processes are clearer.”