MP backs call for supermarkets to stock more British lamb

Cumbrian MP Tim Farron has backed calls by the National Farmers Union for British supermarkets to make more effort to support British farming by sourcing new season British Lamb

Figures obtained by EBLEX, the English Beef and Lamb association, suggest that while some supermarkets have significantly increased the proportion of British lamb they sourced in the last quarter, other are still choosing New Zealand lamb instead. Morrison's, Asda, Lidl and Also have all been praised by the NFU for increasing their stock levels to 75% British lamb, however other supermarket giants including Tesco and the Co-Operative are currently stock as little as 20% British lamb.

With British consumers showing a growing appetite for British food, Tim is calling on supermarkets to show greater support for British farmers, who have suffered a difficult spring with poor weather conditions which have disrupted normal marketing patterns for lambs. Suggestions have been made by NFU President, Peter Kendall, that supermarkets should include 'best in season' displays for stocks of new season British lamb.

Commenting Tim said: "After a nightmarish spring where farmers have been put under huge amounts of pressure to cope with terrible weather condition, supermarkets should be doing everything they can to support them.

"The British public have shown they prefer eating home grown food and it is great to see supermarkets like Asda and Morrison's leading the way. Now I want to see a greater emphasis on sourcing new season British lamb from the other big retailers to help our farmers get right back on track."