‘Irresponsible’ Australia trade deal will bring ruin for UK farmers, critics warn

Scottish National party says tariff-free imports of hormone-treated beef would represent a bitter betrayal of rural communities'

The UK government was facing a backlash on Saturday over its plans for a trade deal with Australia, which have led to anger from farmers and environmentalists and calls for the Scottish secretary to resign.

Farming unions said that proposals for a zero-tariff and zero-quota trade deal would drive farmers out of business, while green groups said allowing Australian hormone-treated beef would breach the Conservatives' manifesto commitments.