Over 15,000 people have urged the Government to commit in law that food that would be illegal for British farmers to produce here will not be imported as part of future trade deals.

The petition which was launched at the NFU conference will continue to run over the coming weeks, as the UK kicks off trade negotiations with the EU and United States.

NFU President Minette Batters said: “This is yet another clear signal that the public do not want to see food on their plates that has been produced far below the high standards they expect of British farmers.”