The Brexit reset minister refused to say whether he will try to preserve UK laws allowing gene editing of crops or a pledge to ban foie gras imports as part of a food deal with the EU.

Nick Thomas-Symonds on Wednesday set out the case for aligning with Brussels rules to strike a new food and drink dea l designed to reduce border checks on trade, boost the economy and bring down prices for British shoppers .

But he said there “will be some carve-outs” for the UK to be negotiated when both sides return to the table for talks this autumn, which the minister hopes will bring about a final deal by 2027

Experts have speculated that the UK is likely to ask for an exemption to allow it to maintain laws allowing the gene editing of crops , introduced by the Conservatives as a major Brexi

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