A trade minister has claimed UK farmers should be “positive not fearful” of a proposed UK-Australia free trade agreement. Greg Hands struck an optimistic tone in the Commons, despite fears raised by MPs on both sides of the House representing rural areas about the impact a deal could have on UK farming. Hands said the deal would represent a “major prize” for the UK’s newly independent trade policy, and would “slash” tariffs on “iconic” UK exports–saving business potentially around £115 million a year. He told colleagues: “This will be a great deal for the UK and our farmers will continue to thrive. The agreement is a gateway into the massive CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) free trade area in Asia and Pacific, opening doors for our farmers into some of the biggest economies of now and the future. “Our food is among the best in the world …