M&S head of food Alex Freudmann has urged the government to end “Brexit bureaucracy” by giving his support for the Prime Minister’s proposals to reset relations with the EU.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Freudmann said: “There is no difference in food standards between the UK and the EU so why do the rules pretend that there is?”

“Five years on, it is time to put an end to the Brexit bureaucracy that burdens both UK and Irish businesses,” he explained, adding that the need is even greater “when the UK’s food businesses and farmers need all the help they can get” in the face of proposed changes to inheritance tax on farms.

Freudmann also urged PM Sir Keir Starmer to “move with pace” to stop unnecessary red tape governing trade across the Irish Sea, as rules around shipments to Ireland have left M&S with “paperwork that takes hours to complete” and millions of pounds in added costs.

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The retailer currently operates 39 stores in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, with products such as sandwiches, fresh produce and ready meals being transported across the Irish Sea.

Freudmann’s input comes as the Prime Minister meets with EU officials, in a bid to to reset and strengthen the UK’s relations with the bloc.

A government spokesperson told the title: “If we want to grow our economy, we need to reduce barriers to UK and EU trade.

“In the government’s manifesto, we committed to tearing down unnecessary barriers to trade by seeking to agree a veterinary agreement with the EU – which could remove unnecessary checks and paperwork, and help tackle the cost of food.”