UK MPs have rejected the amendments to agriculture bill to ensure food products imported into the country from 1 January meet all the legal standards, as well as and animal welfare standards.

MPs in the House of Commons defeated the bill, despite protests from farmers and food campaigners.

With 332 votes, the House of Commons rejected the amendment to the agriculture bill, which will now return to the House of Lords.

Had the bill been approved, it would have ensured that food exported to the UK market met UK animal welfare and food safety rules.

Campaigners warned the government that by turning down the amendments to farm bill the country could be forced to accept lower standards to secure a future US trade deal.

Speaking of the development, the UK Farming minister Victoria Prentis explained that the government is committed to safeguarding and ensuring high food standards.

The Farm Bill was designed to help the farming industry to cope with a scenario when it will not be mandatory for the country to follow EU laws and rules next year after Brexit.

In addition, the government is reportedly planning to include European laws such as banning imports of chlorine-washed chicken, as well as other products, into UK law once post-Brexit ends on 31 December.

However, the UK government justified its move saying that given current standards, legal status was not required as ministers are already fully committed to ensuring that UK food standards would be kept in any post-Brexit trade agreements.