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Labour’s Brexit betrayal could force UK farmers to throw away domestically-produced food, an expert has warned. Sir Keir Starmer’s capitulation to the EU could involve applying the bloc’s food rules to Britain, putting fresh regulatory pressure on an industry already grappling with world-class levels of red tape.

Karen Betts, chief executive of the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) said the British sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) deal, which will see the UK effectively adopt EU agricultural regulations from next year, could leave producers with no choice put to scrap products including oven chips, bread, cake and crisps.

The SPS deal was signed as part of the Labour Government’s Brexit reset in May 2025, and is expected to require farmers to adapt to realigned regulations of pesticide approvals, among other changes, from mid-2027.

Ms Betts told The Telegraph: “If your potato was grown using a pesticide that is not approved by the EU, then potentially when it gets to supermarket sale in three years’ time, it is not going to be allowed to be sold.”

She called on the Government to “make sure that the transition period is flexible enough that companies can handle those sorts of situations so we don’t end up with loads of food waste and loads of oven chips being dumped”.

It’s not the first time industry voices have sounded the alarm over the impact of closer ties with the EU on British farmers, who are still reeling from Rachel Reeves’ introduction of 20% inheritance tax, replacing a previous exemption.

Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers’ Union, said a pivot towards the bloc should ensure that “British farmers aren’t unduly bound by rules which restrict our ambitions for food production”.

A Government spokesperson said: “Our food and drink deal will deliver billions for British industry; a smooth transition is critical to unlocking that growth. The deal will mean fresher food on more supermarket shelves quicker, better export opportunities for our farmers and stronger food security for the future.

“We are working closely with farmers and producers to give them more information on getting ready for new arrangements. We will continue to provide more support once deadlines and processes are clearer.”