Farmers hold a second protest in Rishi Sunak's constituency calling for MPs to protect food standards

The vehicles drove in convoy at 10mph up Northallerton High Street to protest against Government plans for a US trade deal which could allow imports of cheap meat.

With the Agriculture Bill due to go before the House of Commons next week for its final debate before becoming law, the group said it wanted MPs to back amendments made in the House of Lords, which would protect food standards.

Graham Clarke, who farms beef cattle, sheep and arable land near Thirsk, said: “We have some of the highest welfare standards in the world and allowing our home market to be flooded with cheap, inferior meat from abroad would deal a hammer blow to livestock farmers in North Yorkshire.

“It’s no exaggeration to say many could go out of business.”

Mr Clarke said he was sceptical about the Government’s claims it will protect British farmers by putting tariffs on US food produced to lower standards, such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-fed beef.

“The Americans are in a much stronger bargaining position,” he said.

“Their farming lobby are very keen to get a foothold in the UK market. It’s ‘America First’ and I just can’t see them allowing tariffs to be part of any trade deal.”

Richard Sadler, a Save British Farming North Yorkshire volunteer, said it had been a great turnout with more people than expected.

Mr Clarke also delivered a second letter to Mr Sunak’s office urging him to back the amendment and British farmers.

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson