A CUMBRIAN MP has hit out at the government’s trade deals with Australia and New Zealand.

Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said it was ‘absolutely critical’ that trade deals should be ‘ balanced’ and of ‘benefit to both partners equally’.

He added that currently this was not the case and said the Australian and New Zealand deals were ‘one-sided and ‘not of equal benefit to the UK.

“I have been clear that core standards of animal welfare must be baked into these agreements. It is so important that our fantastic farmers here in Cumbria and across the UK are not compromised and undercut by produce that is cheaper to produce to lower standards,” said Dr Hudson.

He added: “I am pleased however that the Government has listened to my call for tariff rate quotas to be used as a safeguard for the UK agricultural sector.

“That said I will keep pressure on the Government to commit to using these tariff mechanisms to protect our UK farmers and still call on them to specify core standards in animal welfare that we in the UK insist upon.

“I have been consistent on this in Parliament since I was elected and accordingly, I could not and did not support the third reading of the Australia and New Zealand Trade Bill in the Commons.”