Liz Truss defends UK plans for post-Brexit trade deal with Australia

Cabinet said to be split over impact on British farmers with warnings about environmental implications

Liz Truss has defended plans for a post-Brexit trade deal with Australia amid reports of a cabinet split over the impact on British farmers of granting tariff-free access to the UK market.

The trade secretary said a deal with Australia would benefit farmers across the UK by opening up a key market while also paving the way for growth in exports across Asia. She promised that the government would protect British farmers from overseas importers using unfair practices" to undercut them in the domestic market.