Helen Morgan criticises Jacob Rees-Mogg over ‘awful’ pro-Aussie beef comments

North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan has joined voices including NFU President Minette Batters in harsh criticism of Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg MP’s pro-Australian hormone injected beef comments.

Speaking during the Conservative Party conference in Manchester, Sir Jacob said: “I want hormone-injected beef from Australia. I’ve eaten beef in Australia, it was absolutely delicious, there’s nothing wrong with it and they should be allowed to export it here because we want lower costs.”

NFU President Minette Batters took to twitter to term the comments ‘totally and utterly morally bankrupt’ in a sentiment shared by many across the British farming industry. The NFU had warned that Australia and New Zealand trade deals last year were 'one-sided' with 'extremely little' in it for British farmers.

Helen Morgan, Liberal Democrat MP for North Shropshire said, “Times are hard enough for British farmers without Conservative MPs bragging about the very policies causing concern.

“Minette Batters is right to condemn Jacob Rees-Mogg’s awful comments. Trade deals with Australia and New Zealand have been totally one-sided and have sold out British farmers – the government should be standing up for our agricultural industry, not condemning it to decline.

“This is yet another clear sign that we need a fundamental change of direction at DEFRA and a Government that listens to farmers, supports them through tough economic times, and puts food production front and centre.”