MEPs have penned an open letter to Trade Secretary Liam Fox expressing "deep concerns" about the Government's progress and ability to secure a good deal for farmers post-Brexit.
The cross-party of signatories, signed by 18 Conservative, Labour, Green, Lib Dem, Plaid Cymru and SNP MEPs, relay the fears of UK farmers who still face huge Brexit uncertainties.
The MEPs have demanded an answer on the progress Mr Fox has made on ensuring farmers will continue to have access to markets across the globe.
Mr Fox has been widely mocked for previously having said a post-Brexit EU trade deal would be “the easiest in human history”.
MEPs warn that it is now becoming clear that securing a good deal not just for access to EU markets but around the world would be “complex and time-consuming matter”.
'Lower-quality'
The letter also asks what the government's intentions are for the UK replacement of the EU's designated origin and protected geographical indicators.
The letter says: "The high quality and price premium of West Country Cheddar cheese, Gloucestershire cider, Yorkshire forced rhubarb, and Cornish pasties are protected by these schemes.
"We understand that there are a few rare examples of similar protections under the WTO, so are you working there to establish such protections?
"We would suggest that without them our farmers of such specialist produce would face a rush of lower-quality competitors that would threaten their market position.
"In addition, the European Council has explicitly stated its goal to maintain the recognition of EU GIs in the UK post-Brexit.
"Can you confirm that the UK government will agree to this objective and seek a similar continued protection of UK GIs on the EU market?"
'Bravado'
Keith Taylor, Green MEP for the South East, said Mr Fox's claims about the ease with which they would secure post-Brexit trade deals have been exposed as "utterly baseless bluster and bravado".
"It's almost two years since the EU referendum and the Government hasn't even been able to negotiate a transition deal let alone begin trade talks," Mr Taylor said.
"Instead, Ministers like the Right Honourable Liam Fox are having to face the truth that negotiating a trading framework, especially one which protects our farmers and food producers, will be complex and time-consuming.”
Liam Fox, who is in charge of setting up new trade deals in the wake of Brexit, has previously expressed some support for controversial foods such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-injected beef to enter the UK market post-Brexit as part of a free trade deal with the US.
However, NFU Scotland has warned Mr Fox not to undercut the UK's Unique Selling Point when it comes to trading with other countries.
