Boris Johnson is prepared to offer Australia tariff-free access to British food markets despite warnings that it could put farmers out of business.
The prime minister is backing a plan to give Australian food exporters the same terms as those enjoyed by the European Union in what would be the first bespoke trade deal signed by the government since Brexit.
The plan is being resisted by farming groups, which believe that it would set a dangerous precedent for future trade agreements and could result in British farmers struggling to compete with cheap imports.
They have been backed by George Eustice, the environment secretary, and Michael Gove, the Cabinet Office minister, who have privately expressed reservations about the deal.
Liz Truss, the trade secretary, is
