The president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) has slammed Conservative ministers for rushing Brexit and said the government had “made mistakes” in some aspects of Brexit.

Tom Bradshaw, who replaced Minette Batters at the top of the NFU, which represents more than 46,000 farmers and growers in England and Wales, said ministers “should accept that we some warnings” [about Brexit] Take it at face value”.

The Essex farmer, who succeeded Ms Butters in February, said members had historically been “big supporters” of the Conservatives.

But he said “many people are disappointed with the post-Brexit trade deal” and said the government “did not consult and did not listen” to farmers when leaving the EU.

He said the trade deal was harming British farms because supermarkets could sell food produced to lower standards abroad.

Mr Bradshaw criticized the current government’s “short-term” focus, with a general election later this year expected to hamper long-term decision-making.

in a interview sunday telegraphHe said: “Historically our members have been great supporters of the Conservative Party but many have been disappointed, particularly with international trade deals [which they believe disadvantage British farmers]. They won’t soon forget this. “

He added: “The Brexit deal has been delayed but our Defra ministers are unwilling to delay the transition, so they are under huge time pressure to deliver the plan,” he said. “Their department is the most affected by Brexit and has become a totem pole.”

“They didn’t consult, they didn’t listen. They delivered a plan in a limited time frame and I think there were some things wrong with it. They should have taken some of our warnings at face value.”

And, in a dig at some of the UK’s post-Brexit trade deals, such as those with Australia and New Zealand, Mr Bradshaw said: “If we expect production to standards here, then we should expect sales in this country All food will be produced in the UK.” Meet that standard. If as a country we don’t care about these standards, then our members should have a competitive advantage and be able to produce to lower standards. You can’t have the best of both worlds. “

Losing the support of Britain’s farmers would be a heavy blow for the Conservatives, who have enjoyed support from rural voters for generations.

A poll for the Countryside Land and Business Association (CLA) suggests the Conservatives will lose 53 of 96 country seats at the general election, with high-profile Tories such as Jeremy Hunt facing Risk of losing your seat.

In March, farmers on tractors gathered in Westminster to protest against trading arrangements that they claimed would “destroy” British agriculture and endanger British food security.

The demonstration was organized by campaign groups Save British Farming and Kent Farmers Fair, with farmers calling for “a radical change in policy and an urgent exit from these appalling trade deals that will destroy British food”.

Mr Bradshaw did say recently appointed Environment Secretary Steve Barclay had “done a great job so far”, but said “I don’t think [ministers] When you only plan for six months, you can get a clear picture of what they plan to do.”

And, with Labor on track to secure a landslide majority, he added: “At the NFU we are proudly apolitical, but in the four years I have been part of the NFU team I have developed a strong relationship with Shadow Agriculture Minister Daniel Zeichner, He remained in office during that period.”