Farmers raise concerns as Boris Johnson hails ‘historic’ UK-Australia trade deal

Deal to include 15-year cap on tariff-free imports amid fears over potential flood of cheaper meat

• Australian producers to gradually gain tariff-free access to British markets
• Key elements of the UK-Australia trade deal

The National Farmers' Union has called for more information about protections for UK farmers in a new trade deal with Australia, as it emerged that some tariff-free protection periods will expire in as little as five years.

The NFU and green groups also raised concerns about a lack of detail on animal welfare and environmental safeguards. Downing Street said UK food standards would not be relaxed, but had no details on areas such as higher levels of antibiotics used in Australian meat.