Britain's trade deal with New Zealand may jeopardise the UK’s “food security”, MPs warn today.
The pact could see cheaper lamb, beef and dairy products on supermarket shelves.
But the Commons International Trade Committee fears it might undermine British farmers - and “calls for an analysis of potential risks to the UK’s food security”.
Chairman Angus Brendan MacNeil said: “We are running the risk of locking our beef, sheep-meat and dairy producers into a contest they never sought without support or protection, with competitors able to place them at a serious disadvantage, and at a time of immense challenge for consumers and businesses.”
Publishing a 112-page report into the agreement, MPs say many of the products covered by the pact are “cheaper than those produced in the UK due to lower production costs”.
They add: “We recognise that New Zealand agri-food imports, which may be cheaper than UK produce, may benefit consumers, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis, and that the relatively low carbon intensity of New Zealand's production methods may be beneficial to the environment.
“However, we are concerned that the Government has not adequately considered the longer-term food security risks that the agreement may present.”
MPs also blast the Government’s overall trade plan, lashing out at the “absence of a single, unifying Government trade strategy”.
The UK has been responsible for negotiating its own trade deals since Brexit.
Until then, agreements were struck by the EU.
“The Government’s approach to negotiating new deals is characterised as reactive and hasty, and not joined-up across departments,” they say.
The committee fears the deal offers “few new opportunities for UK exporters”.
Mr MacNeil said that “throwing open UK agri-food markets to cheaper goods has caused understandable disquiet among producers”.
He added: “The Government has forged ahead on a deal creating new challenges which may bring cheaper food for consumers, but also potentially threatens our nation’s food security during a cost-of-living crisis.
“Given the deal will add just 0.02% to the UK’s GDP, the Government must show how they have balanced these risks, and what they will do to support those who don’t benefit from this deal.”
