The farming industry has called on Tesco for a 'clear sourcing policy' for British lamb to build on its claim to be UK agriculture’s biggest customer.
This comes as recent figures from AHDB’s Beef and Lamb Watch show Tesco is the only major retailer whose British lamb facings are falling compared to last year, by 15%.
In February 2014, the NFU’s retailer report card said Tesco hadn't shown any 'meaningful aspiration' to support British lamb in peak season.
The farming union said that over three years have passed, and 'little has changed on this front'.
The NFU's livestock board chairman Charles Sercombe said: “British lamb is at its prime right now and our farmers take great pride sending this high quality product to the supermarket shelves, especially so for the British public.
“And with surveys saying that 86% of shoppers want to see more British food in supermarkets, it’s a valued product.”
'Shy away'
With Brexit looming, British lamb producers have asked retailers to support them more than ever, and for clear sourcing commitments.
Mr Sercombe continued: “Tesco has seemed to shy away from making clear to suppliers and customers what its sourcing policy is with lamb. With so many positive moves towards British farming among retailers, Tesco is sticking out like a sore thumb.
“British farmers want to invest in their farms for the long term and clear sourcing commitments from retailers can help farmers to do this.
“Ambiguous sourcing only reduces farmer confidence to invest. UK production is at its peak and is highly competitive, leaving British farmers bewildered as to why British facings are going down and not up at Tesco.”
The latest shelf watch study by NFU Scotland found that 11 per cent of lamb available in Scottish supermarkets is imported, with Tesco and Asda being the main culprits.
