ONE of Worcestershire's MPs has welcomed the formation of a trade commission designed to protect food safety standards.

Farmers, food producers and shoppers have all contacted West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin in relation to food standards as the UK leaves the European Union.

Many have become worried about the animal welfare standards and what is being done to protect them as the UK re-negotiates its trade deals after Brexit.

As a result, the government has set up the Trade and Agriculture Commission, which has been welcomed by the National Farmers' Union.

Mrs Baldwin said: "We are rightly proud of our high standards in food production and animal welfare and many local people have contacted me about their concerns.

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"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."