From 1 January, the UK will introduce a 260,000t tariff-free quota on raw cane sugar imports.

Margins on sugar production in the UK are already tight and the quota will see large amounts of imports coming from countries often not producing to the same standards as UK growers.

Sugar beet is widely grown in the UK and is still processed in the country.

Fears are that the quota may make it difficult for UK farmers to compete.

'Pressure on producers'

The National Farmers Union (NFU) has said that the quota “will put significant pressure on sugar producers at a time when they are already dealing with the impacts of significant pest pressure”.

NFU sugar board chair Michael Sly said: “The UK is one of the most efficient sugar producers in the world.

"That is something we should be proud of and looking to enhance in the years to come.

"If we are to do that, we must be able to compete on a level playing field with growers elsewhere."