STANDARDS will not be watered down in pursuit of trade deals after Brexit, Defra minister George Eustice has assured farmers.

The Government is proud of Britain’s high standards of food safety and these will not be diluted in any way, he has said both in answer to a Parliamentary question and during a CLA breakfast at the Royal Bath & West Show.

“We will keep our existing UK legislation, and the EU Withdrawal Bill will convert EU law into UK law as it applies once we have left the EU,” he said.

“This means that origin labelling for foods will be required where the consumer would be misled if it were not given.

“In addition, the rules for compulsory origin labelling of beef, veal, lamb, mutton, pork, goat and poultry meat, fish and shellfish, honey, olive oil, wine and most fruit and vegetables will be in place.”

The majority of meat and dairy products sold at retail already had transparent origin labelling, provided voluntarily for the meat or dairy ingredients, he said.

Method of production labelling was not required for food, although some producers provided it on a voluntary basis. If and when it was provided, it had to be accurate and not mislead the consumer. The Government had no plans to change that approach.

Mr Eustice said: “When we leave the EU, there will be an opportunity to review labelling requirements for all foods, to ensure that we maintain the highest standards of quality and transparency for consumers and take the greatest opportunities for marketing our great British food across the world.”