Fury at rise in cheap food from overseas

LABOUR has been accused of failing to back our farmers amid an increase of cheap food imported from overseas.

- By Eleanor Burleigh

Free-trade deals, poor regulation, rocketing costs, tax hikes and a parched summer have been blamed.

Herefordshire farmer Alan Hughes, 37, said: "We can't compete with meat that's cheaper because it hasn't been produced to the same high standard as in the UK."

His family farm produces around 500 lambs a year and he is vice-chair of the Farmers to Action group.

He added: "It's driving businesses like us bust, especially after the summer droughts left us with very little winter feed crop."

Official figures show sheep imports from Australia rose 37% in 2024, while beef was up 8% and dairy 8.3%.