Sir Keir Starmer’s commitment to backtracking on Brexit and following European Union (EU) laws could deal yet another blow to British farmers still reeling from Labour’s inheritance tax reforms. The Prime Minister agreed to implement a ban on nearly 30 common pesticides and fungicides in the UK in line with existing EU regulations in a move farmers have said will be “devastating” for the country’s food production. The UK’s new deal with the EU, which will also give the bloc’s fisherman access to British waters for 12 years – could also see number of food treatment products be taken off the shelves in what one farmer described as a surrender to the EU’s approach to pesticides, fuelled by “emotion and green lobbying”.

“It would be devastating if we had to ban all these products,” Olly Harrison, a cereal farmer from North West England, told The Telegraph. “The UK has taken a more science-led approach since Brexit on pesticides.” The Conservative’s less heavy-handed approach to pesticide regulation since Brexit has meant that UK law currently allows the use of 28 products that cannot be used in the EU.

The removal of products, including treatment for potato blight, which was crucial to ensuring a successful harvest during last winter’s disruptive weather, could have real consequences for this year’s food production, agricultural workers have warned.

Exmoor-based farmer James Wright, who stood for election under the Conservative Party last July, said the move was “another kick” for arable farmers due to the competitive pricing of UK pesticides compared to their EU alternatives.

“There’s a lot of worry, particularly in the arable farming community, at the moment because the margins are really tight,” he said.

It comes after the government prompted an outpouring of opposition after announcing plans to restrict inheritance relief for farmers from April 2026 and was accused of “sacrificing” the sec tor to secure a trade deal with US President Donald Trump.

The UK-EU pact will “ensure the European Union’s level of food, sanitary and phytosanitary safety … through the immediate application of the relevant EU rules” in the UK, according to papers setting out the “common understanding” between Britain and the political and economic bloc.

It also includes provisions for the UK to negotiate “limited exceptions” to EU laws, but only where it does “not lead to lower standards as compared to European Union rules”.

The deal also stipulates that only animal goods compliant with EU regulations will be allowed into the bloc for trading purposes.

Hazel Doonan, head of crop protection and agronomy at the Agricultural Industries Confederation, said the UK had made strides ahead of the EU in pesticide production since Brexit – with four new food treatment products on the market in Britain that have yet to be approved in the EU.

“We have and will highlight to Defra that if we are to lose some active substances that are currently available, that mean growers face, in some areas and for some crops, very few alternatives to tackling weeds, pests and diseases,” she said.

A Government spokesman said: “Our new agreement with the EU will support British farming by opening up access to EU markets and making agrifood trade with our biggest trading partner cheaper and easier.

“It will cut red tape and costs, benefitting British producers, retailers and consumers. We will be having detailed negotiations with the EU, and it’s important not to get ahead of those discussions.”