The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Stores get behind ‘buy British’ drive
Six major UK supermarkets are now backing the nation’s farmers by adding “buy British” tabs to their websites.
Waitrose and the Co-op are the latest national retailers to join the campaign by introducing “British” and “Best of British” sections online.
Other supermarkets that have taken up the call to support farmers are Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, and Ocado.
The move follows an open letter written by Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans to the chief executives of the eight major supermarkets.
He asked for a filter that would direct shoppers to homegrown food, helping to boost the economy and cut the UK’S carbon footprint.
The letter, co-signed by 125 cross-party MPS, echoed a longstanding NFU idea dating back to 2016.
The Co-op has said that its Best of British page would make it easier for customers to buy British and support local livelihoods.
It said: “We know food provenance matters to our member-owners, and we continue our long-standing support for British farmers, growers, and local suppliers. We champion homegrown produce, protein, and products.”
Waitrose has also added a Best of British section, which a spokesperson said the supermarket would look to expand if it proved successful with customers.
Responding to the new action, NFU deputy president David Exwood said he was “pleased” to see supermarkets getting behind the campaign.
“We know from our independent research that the public wants to buy more British food from retailers,” he added.
Dr Evans said implementing a buy British section online was a “relatively simple change that gives consumers greater choice, supports our farmers and cuts down on unnecessary food miles.
“We know from our independent research that the public wants to buy more British food from retailers,” he said.
NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said: “NFUS first called for supermarkets to adopt online shopping options that helped shoppers identify and support home produce pre-covid.
“But the pandemic and the seismic shift in purchasing habits to online gave this fresh impetus.
“The current UK Government consultation on labelling provides another opportunity to drive public support for our produce forward.”
Mr Kennedy added: “We welcome those retailers who have enhanced their online shopping experience to allow consumers to support home produce and will actively encourage those not currently providing that option to do so.
“This is following on from our landmark Shelfwatch campaign, which launched in February and focused on own-label fresh produce available in all stores.”
Meanwhile, the NFU and WWF have jointly urged political leaders to safeguard British farmers from food imports that would be illegal to produce in the UK.
The letter asks the Conservatives, Labour, and Liberal Democrats to make a manifesto commitment to forming a core standards commission.
This would examine the practicalities and legal requirements for ensuring imported food meets the same environmental and animal welfare standards as those adhered to by UK farmers.
The joint letter comes as the government continues to open up the UK market to agri-food imports worldwide.