Somerset farmers criticise Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg over hormone-injected beef

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said hormone-injected beef would be a cheaper option for consumers

Farmers say it is "unbelievable" their MP is calling for hormone-injected beef to be allowed into the UK.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg told Conservatives he favoured ending the ban on using hormones in cattle in a bid for cheaper imported beef.

Hormone-treated beef has been banned in the UK for more than 30 years due to animal and human safety concerns.

The North East Somerset MP said his point was that "free trade is beneficial to everyone".

"It's beneficial for consumer because it decreases price, it's beneficial for the producer, it increases productivity and efficiency," he added.

Eleven farmers from around the Mendips have written to the MP since the conference earlier in October.

One, Andrew Wear, said: "It's worrying, really. He lives in a beautiful area, surely he should have some forethought on what he is saying to reflect what his constituents are trying to achieve.

"Many of us are part of the farming community in Somerset - it is really quite shameful he comes out with such comments."

Minette Batters said Sir Jacob's comments were "unbelievable"

"We hope the consumer appreciates they are getting food that is really helpful for them. Not just mass-produced, anything, put into their diet.

"We want cheap food in the UK... but we don't want it in jeopardy to the environment, to the livestock or to the consumer who's eating that food."

At the conference, Sir Jacob said: "I want cheaper food, 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."

The president of the National Farmers' Union, Wiltshire's Minette Batters, said: "Unbelievable… an absolute desire to annihilate British agriculture - totally and utterly morally bankrupt."

Hormone-treated beef was banned in Britain 34 years ago following public concern.

The government has indicated it has no plans to change the rules which prevent its importation.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [e-mail]