Parliament may still get chance to vote on US trade deal to save our food standards, says York Outer MP Julian Sturdy after Trade Bill amendment is rejected

Ewes and lambs at David Beal's farm near Pickering, an example of Yorkshire's high food production standards. They suppliy meat to the Cedar Barn Farm Shop near Thornton Dale. Pic: Gary Longbottom

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy was one of 11 Tory backbenchers to defy the Government by backing an amendment to the Trade Bill which would have given Parliament a "yes/no vote" on the negotiating objectives and the final draft agreement.

Concerns were raised that politicians in Westminster would be unable to prevent the Government reneging on commitments to protect the NHS and maintain animal welfare and food standards when an agreement is struck with the US under the current terms of the Trade Bill. But the Government stressed UK law offers such protections and any changes would have to come before Parliament.

Julian Sturdy interview: We need farming industry making money to get green bene...

In the end the amendment adding a new clause four to the Trade Bill was rejected by 263 votes to 326, majority 63. MPs approved the Trade Bill iitself at third reading by 335 votes to 243, majority 92, meaning the legislation will undergo further scrutiny in the Lords at a later date.

Mr Sturdy, a farmer who attended Harper Adams Agricultural College, put his name on the amendment put forward by Conservative former minister Jonathan Djanogly. He said the issue of Parliament having a say on any trade deals was "one to watch because it has got to go back to the Lords".

He said: "Everyone realised we were not going to win the day last night but what was important was to lay down a marker.

"With 11 Tory MPs voting for clause four and other MPs backing it, that sends a message to the Lords that this is something they would like to get their teeth into."

Farming bodies fear the UK is preparing to water down its food safety standards in order to reach a trade deal with the US, something the Government strongly denies.

Boosting agricultural exports is a top US priority for a trade agreement, and Prime Minister Boris Johnson drew outcry earlier this year, when he appeared to back away from a pledge to maintain bans on chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef in hopes of securing a treaty.

Mr Sturdy, a member of the Commons select committee scrutinising environmental issues, said any lowering of animal welfare and food standards in a trade deal with the US would have a huge impact in Yorkshire because of its producers' high standards.

He said: "Even the Minister said clause four would not actually affect the way the UK could construct trade deals but they felt it was unnecessary. But Parliament having a say on it, Parliament being able to vote on it is something I strongly believe is necessary. That is why Parliament is there, to scrutinise these things."

Mr Sturdy said the issue could also be addressed with an amendment to the Agriculture Bill, which provides the legislative framework for replacement agricultural support schemes post-Brexit.

Opening the Commons debate on the Trade Bill, international trade minister Greg Hands said the Government was "committed to transparency" regarding scrutiny of international agreements.

He said: "International agreements themselves cannot alter domestic law and any changes to UK legislation would need to be scrutinised by Parliament in the normal way.

"We are strongly committed to transparency, as demonstrated by the steps we have taken to provide comprehensive information to the public and Parliament."

Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake said public consultations would always be held prior to negotiations over a future trade deal, and that Ministers also publish their negotiating objectives prior to the start of trade talks.

He said: "The government has said repeatedly, including to me on the floor of the house, that it will maintain and fair and level playing field for UK producers and ensure all food and animal welfare standards are maintained. I will be scrutinising proposed future deals to make sure this is the case.

"Furthermore, the government has set up a new Trade and Agriculture Commission, made up of farmers, retailers and consumers, to advise ministers on how to seize export opportunities whilst ensuring animal welfare, environmental and food production standards and UK producers are not undermined."