Proposals to give Australia unlimited tariff-free access to the UK market for agri-food products could lead to the “wipeout” of local farming, the president of the Ulster Farmers’ Union has warned.

Speaking to reporters this week, Victor Chestnutt said other countries, such as the US, Brazil, New Zealand and Canada, would demand the same terms as part of new post-Brexit trade deals.

“We are worried that this is the first of many trade deals, and what is given away in this agreement will be expected in the other trade deals,” he said.

“The cumulative effect of these trade deals could wipe out agriculture as we know it. That is a real concern of ours.”

UK government ministers are considering the exact terms of an Australian trade deal. Officials want to get it over the line before Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits the UK next month for the G7 summit in Cornwall.

We need the government to listen to our concerns

The current proposals include full access to the UK market for agri-food products, with no import taxes or volume limits on the trade.

“We need the government to listen to our concerns and work with tariffs and quotas to not decimate the rural economy,” Chesnutt said.

Reports suggest that a split has emerged among UK government ministers on the proposed deal. A key supporter is its architect, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss.

Environment Secretary George Eustice and Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove oppose the plans and reportedly want quotas in place to limit the volume of tariff-free trade with Australia.

Their influence is absolutely key, but obviously decisions are made as a collective

National Farmers’ Union (NFU) president Minette Batters told reporters that she had “no reason to believe” that Eustice and Gove had turned back on their promises to protect UK farmers in post-Brexit trade deals.

“Their influence is absolutely key, but obviously decisions are made as a collective,” Batters acknowledged.

“I think this decision will very much come down to the Prime Minister to decide whether they are going to continue to honour that commitment,” she said.

Australia is the world’s largest exporter of sheepmeat and ranks in second position for beef exports.

The UK government published an analysis of potential free-trade agreement with Australia when negotiations began last year.

Across 23 sectors of the UK economy, agriculture and semi-processed foods were the only two sectors that would see output drop because of a comprehensive trade deal with Australia.

However, the overall benefit to the UK economy is minimal with economic output, as measured by GDP, only forecast to rise by 0.02% due to the Australian deal.