HUNDREDS OF farmers from across the country are expected gather in London this March to demand that the UK's post-Brexit trade deals don't allow imports of food produced to standards that would be illegal here.

The planned mass rally, on Wednesday March 25 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster, will bring together farmers, consumer representatives and experts in animal welfare and the environment, in a 'show of unity' backing the future of British farming and underlining the role domestic farmers play in supplying the nation with safe, traceable and affordable food.

The key message will be that British farming’s 'world-leading' standards must be safeguarded in future trade deals.

English NFU president Minette Batters said: “This year is absolutely pivotal for the future of our country, our farmers and the food on our plates. Nothing will determine this more than how the Government shapes trade deals with the EU and other countries around the world.

“This event is about bringing together people from across British business who acknowledge and value the importance of food and farming. They are crystal clear that the Government must hold the line that they will uphold British farming’s high standards in trade deals, and crucially they must hold imports entering the country to that same standard," said Ms Batters.

“Failure to do so risks undermining British food production and our own domestic farming industry. We share the Government’s ambitions to deliver more for the environment, but in doing so, we must not offshore our food production to those parts of the world who do not share our values and standards.

“This is an opportunity for hundreds of people to come together and make their views clear that the Government must not sacrifice British farming on the altar of free trade and we will be inviting MPs to attend to hear that message first hand," she said.

“British farming can be one of the leading lights of post-Brexit Britain if the Government chooses to become a global leader in championing sustainable, climate-friendly food that our farmers produce here. Farmers across the country are ready to rise to that challenge and we stand ready to work with the Government on that journey.”

NFU Scotland president, Andrew McCornick agreed that, for Scotland's farmers and crofters, the weeks and months ahead will bring a raft of decisions that will define their role as food producers and custodians of the land they live and work in.

“As we determine our post-CAP future as well as trading arrangements with the EU and the rest of the world, it is crucial that politicians recognise and preserve the outstanding standards being upheld by our farming sector," said Mr McCornick.

“At our board meeting on Tuesday (January 28) it was unanimously agreed that Scotland will have a significant presence on March 25 at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster. In addition, the board has backed a regional-based, consumer facing event to be held across Scotland later this year. That will give members the opportunity to tell our fantastic story on the quality and provenance of Scotland’s food and drink.”