Co-op and Morrisons are backing UK farming
As this goes to press the Royal Welsh Show will be in full swing and I’m sure many of you will have made the trip to the showground in Llanelwedd to see the many stands and attractions.
The summer has so far been wonderful, with a plentiful supply of grass for grazing and silage. We managed to get our second cut in that sweltering heat in mid-June and I know many made hay during that week.
Earlier this summer the Co-op announced that it will only source fresh British lamb and bacon. This followed an announcement earlier in the year when the retailer committed to double the volume of PGI Welsh lamb and beef in more than 160 of its stores across Wales.
The Co-op now sources 100% British beef, chicken, ham, pork, duck and turkey and uses only British meat in all sausages and its own-label chilled ready meals, pies and sandwiches.
In the past few weeks we have been delighted to hear that Morrisons will no longer stock imported lamb from New Zealand and Australia and will now stock 100% British in its ownlabel Market Deals brand.
Morrisons has supported Welsh and British farmers for many years and we are extremely pleased that they have now chosen to fully back Welsh and British sheep producers.
This move will help shoppers who want to buy PGI Welsh and British lamb but have previously been confused by the Market Deals label.
I am particularly pleased given that last year NFU Cymru was extremely concerned at the potential for fake farm brands to mislead customers.
This move by Morrisons shows a very positive commitment to clear labelling across all their ranges and I am very hopeful that those retailers that continue to market produce on the back of brands that confuse the consumer will quickly end this practice and follow Morrisons’ lead.
The Co-op and Morrisons have dispelled the myth that it is not possible to source Welsh and British meat for 12 months of the year.
At a time when Brexit is raising doubts about our access to EU markets and there are fears about foreign meat imports, these commitments are a welcome tonic. In our meetings with retailers during the Royal Welsh Show, we will be asking all of them to “Back Welsh Farming” in these changing times.