Prince Charles expressed milk price and TB concerns in letters to Blair

Prince Charles expressed concerns that retailers had farmers in an 'arm lock' over the price of milk and also gave his support to the culling of badgers in letters to the then Prime Minister Tony Blair.

“I do urge you to look again at introducing a proper cull of badgers where it is necessary,” he wrote in February 2005.

“I, for one, cannot understand how the ‘badger lobby’ seem not to mind at all about the slaughter of thousands of expensive cattle, and yet object to a managed cull of an overpopulation of badgers – to me, this is intellectually dishonest.”

In ten letters sent to Tony Blair, Charles said the government should've done more to help beef farmers and dairy farmers particularly in relation to the retail sector.

"There is no doubt that the dominant position of the retailers is the single biggest issue affecting British farmers and the food chain, and if it is no dealt with all the other good work which has been going on risks becoming virtually useless," he wrote.

He also urged Mr Blair to appoint an 'independent arbitrator' to battle against a dominant retail sector.

Charles' concerns have been echoed in recent times by farming unions who urged retailer commitment to sourcing UK meat.

Nearly 70 percent of shoppers trust the meat they buy in supermarkets either a lot or a fair amount, according to YouGov data released by BPEX. This compares with only 58 percent trusting the meat they are served in restaurants and 17 percent in fast-food outlets.

“Since Horsegate in 2013, supermarkets have worked hard to restore trust by sourcing more British meat and labelling the fact clearly—and their strategy is obviously working,” according to National Pig Association chairman Richard Lister.

“If foodservice companies want the public to trust them to a similar degree, the answer is staring them in the face. They should copy the retailers and serve British meat instead of imported meat from continental cold stores.”

Lyndon Edwards said: “NFU Cymru will use every possible opportunity over the coming weeks to ask retailers to confirm their commitments to sourcing Welsh and to outline our key asks.

“It is important to note, though, that the drivers that the lamb market faces are far more complex than simple retailer sourcing. Exchange rates, consumer demand - domestically and abroad, are other vital factors. Carcass balance for different markets is also important as a means of adding overall value.

“What is most important of all is the continued support of the public in ensuring that when they go to supermarkets and restaurants they make a point of asking for great tasting PGI Welsh lamb.”