Heavy defeat for Govt in Lords as cross-party move to guarantee high food standards post-Brexit.

Peers back with a change to the Agriculture Bill aimed at blocking the import of foodstuffs produced abroad at lower animal welfare standards. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/brexit-food-standards-house-lords-government-deal-b537450.html

It was second defeat for ministers in Tuesday's report stage debate on the legislation, as the Lords earlier backed a move demanding a ban on the use of pesticides near homes and public buildings or spaces, such as schools and hospitals.

Lord Grantchester warned: "Low-quality food cannot be allowed to jeopardise rural communities by undercutting UK farmers with products using methods that would be illegal here."

Consumers did not want chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef to be imported from he said.

It was vital to signal to existing and future trade partners that UK was committed to championing high quality standards in food, Lord Grantchester added.

Lord Krebs, former chairman of Food Standards Agency, said there were "uncertainties" over assurances given by ministers.

It was only by supporting the Labour-led move that peers could be sure the Government was "bound to its commitment not to import food of lower standards than our own domestic products", Lord Krebs said.

Baroness Boycott, a crossbench peer, said chlorinated chicken was the "tip of the iceberg" of "bad food" which could come into the country.

"Low-quality food is unhealthy food," she said. "It's usually meant deforestation in its production and terrible treatment of animals."

Green Party peer Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb said the amendment was essential to protect British farming against "vile" American animal welfare standards.