Retailer Co-op has widened its Lamb Farming Group as part of its commitment to providing 100% fresh British lamb all year round.
The extended offering, which encompasses its Cambrian Lamb Group, now includes a total of 32 farms from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Midlands and the South West of England, who will work collectively to ensure the availability of British lamb all year round.
The Co-op’s Lamb Farming group forms part of the retailer’s strategy to create relationships with its agricultural partners, as well as sustainable and transparent supply chains.
The move coincides with the Co-op switching all of its fresh lamb and bacon to 100% British which, as of 1st May, made it the only UK retailer to sell all British fresh, own-brand beef, chicken, pork, lamb, bacon, sausages and turkey.
Cath Bennett, Co-op’s Agriculture Manager for Beef and Lamb, said: “We know that our customers and members want to support the British farming industry, as well as enjoy the very best quality home-reared lamb, and we’re delighted to be able to give them the ability to buy with absolute confidence.
“Our commitment to the UK farming industry is stronger than ever and the extension of our lamb farming group comes at a very exciting time for the Co-op, as we become the first British retailer to sell only 100% fresh British meat.”
Farmers were said to be 'justifiably angry' at the level of imported lamb products on British supermarket shelves this Easter.
Despite this, AHDB reports that the volume of sheep meat imported into the UK in February this year was down 36 per cent compared with the same period last year.
