INTERNATIONAL trade secretary Liam Fox has made striking a trade deal with the US one of his first priorities when ministers gain control of UK trade policy outside the EU.

But this has led to fears British supermarkets will be flooded with goods produced using American farming practices, which often include methods banned by the EU.

American trade negotiators are expected to demand Britain opens its markets to US foodstuffs that are currently illegal under EU rules as the price of a free trade agreement.

Practices banned in the EU but currently widespread in the US including chlorine-washed chickens, hormone-treated beef, meat from animals fed on chicken faeces and crops washed with controversial herbicide chemicals.

However, Fox has previously insisted there are "no health reasons" why UK consumers should not enjoy chlorine-washed meat, if regulations on food produce are relaxed once Britain leaves the EU.