Easter lamb in big stores ‘is likely to be imported’

Despite promises that they would increase the amount of home-bred lamb on sale in their stores, a number of leading supermarkets actually appear to have more imported lamb for sale.

With the this Easter weekend being the peak point for sales of lamb and with large numbers of 2016 lambs still on farms, sheep farmers have vented their anger at “duplicity” by major retailers.

The issue has been highlighted by NFU Scotland’s secret shoppers’ information gathering scheme which has found that, despite previous commitments by some supermarkets – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, the Co-op, Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and Lidl – they have all chosen to import New Zealand and Australian lamb, shunning home producers

Far from increasing their commitment to selling more home produced lamb, the Union survey shows a marked decrease from previous years.

This has led to farmers questioning the long-term commitment of supermarkets supporting Scottish sheep producers.

In one Tesco store, underneath a banner proclaiming “The Best Scottish Lamb in Season”, a secret shopper found 100 packs of New Zealand lamb.

Despite previous vocal support for Scottish and British lamb, Morrisons andlidlbothwerefoundto be stocking large amounts of imported lamb.

One disappointed sheep farmer and Morrison’s shopper, Sarah Allison, chair of the Young Farmers agri and rural affairs committee, posted her feelings on social media.

“I have just returned home after shopping in your Dundee store because historically you have been the best local retailer for Scottish lamb. I was delighted to see lamb joints featured as a Best Buy – however, upon closer inspection I was angered to find the lamb was all of Australian origin.”

Marks & Spencer came under fire after making a commitment to source 100 per cent Scottish lamb for its Scottish stores this season. “This has not been followed through, as some secret shoppers found the retailer had almost 50 per cent of imported lamb on its shelves,” said the union

Union president Andrew Mccornick said it was a “slap in the face” that supermarkets had failed to show strong support to Scotland’s sheep farmers.

“We urge Tesco and Asda to extend their season for buying home-produced lamb. We will be asking questions of Morrisons, Marks & Spencer and Lidl, who have failed to maintain their previous good record.”

Mccornick singled out Aldi as the sole retailer found to be selling exclusively Scottish and UK lamb over Easter.