West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed the formation of a trade commission which will help to protect food safety standards in new trade deals.

The new organisation will advise the Government on how to protect the interests of UK farmers and protect higher welfare and production standards.

The Trade and Agriculture Commission has been welcomed by the National Farmers’ Union and will report to Secretary of State for International Trade, Liz Truss.

Local farmers, consumers and food producers have contacted Harriett about the protection of high food standards as the UK negotiates new global trade deals after leaving the European Union.

Harriett commented: “We are rightly proud of our high standards in food production and animal welfare and many local people have contacted me about their concerns.

“The Government position has always been that it intends to protect our higher standards and wants to protect them in future trade deal negotiations.

“People want high quality, safe food that is good value for money and the new commission will advise the Government on the best ways to ensure this is the case in the future.

“Of course, the best way to ensure you get the best produce is to support our excellent local farmers and buy their produce from local retailers and I encourage people to shop locally to get the freshest local ingredients.

“It’s good for the environment and good for our local economy and at a time when food producers and farmers are having a very difficult time, it will be good for us all to ask for locally sourced and produced goods.”