Giving evidence to the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) committee last week he highlighted pesticide legislation and controversial sheep tagging regulations as key areas where Brussels policy could damage food security.

Giving evidence for almost two hours in front of the committee, he told MPs Defra was committed to boosting food security after the ‘wake up call' provided by the food price hikes in 2008.

However, despite the efforts in the UK he said more needed to be done on a European level to ensure that policy does not interfere with the goal of boosting production.

He branded the pesticide regulations ‘over the top' and highlighted the ‘worrying trend' in the EU's hazard-based approach to regulation.

He said: “My primary complaint about the pesticides regulations was we were being asked to sign up to something when we didn't actually know what the consequences would be.”

He was backed by Defra's chief scientist who warned the EU's approach to pesticides was ‘the tip of the iceberg' and the UK needed to work to make sure the same approach is not taken with other regulation.

He said: “If we move towards a hazard-based risk approach we will end up banning everything. It is a very worrying trend indeed.”

Mr Benn also said he would press Europe for more action on food labelling, saying improved legislation would allow consumers to buy British and in turn boost domestic production.