A SWINDON farmer has vowed to fight government rules that she says will mean lower quality food is allowed to be imported.

Liz Webster founded campaign group Save British Farming, which is calling on farmers and activists to drive trucks and tractors to protest in Parliament Square on Wednesday against the agriculture bill which is currently going through parliament.

Liz, whose farm is at Castle Eaton, near Blunsdon, told the Adver: “The government has voted to allow lower regulated food to be imported, which means that British food will be outpriced in the market place.

“We will still have to adhere to EU standards and cheaper regulated food will flood in and dominate the market place, which means that British farming will be disseminated”

The Bill provides the legislative framework that will replace EU agricultural support schemes needed because of Brexit. In May, MPs voted against an amendment which sought to protect UK farmers from low-standard food imports – the bill is now in the House of Lords.

Liz added: “The uncertainty for the economy is of enormous concern because food has never been so cheap, and with all of the difficulties with the pandemic, and potentially a no-deal Brexit, it means that food is certain to become more expensive and less safe. And we will lose our food security which we’ve been trying to hold on to since the last war.”

Liz doesn’t yet know whether she’ll be there in a tractor or a Landrover. Organisers are limiting the number of participants to make sure it is lawful.

“It’s more to do about sending a message to parliament, to the country, that British farmers are unhappy about being sold down the river,” she said.

“And we want to make the public aware of that, because the risks are the food security and the risk to the environment. Farmers look after the country side, we cut the hedges, we make sure we control a lot of the flooding, all of those things are at risk for the British public if we are no longer able to farm.”

Liz, who ran as the Liberal Democrats’ Parliamentary candidate for North Swindon in 2017, said local demonstrations are to be expected, including in Swindon

Swindon North MP Justin Tomlinson said: “We can bring in innovative ideas to support investment in healthy, sustainable British food production and do much better for farming.”

Last year, Liz worked with campaign group Led by Donkeys, to make a video which saw the message Britain now wants to Remain ploughed into her field.