Farmers are urging shoppers to keep their Christmas shopping local to show support for rural and local businesses.
When it comes to food, the UK is incredibly lucky to have the capacity to produce a wide variety of quality food. Today, British farmers' produce totals about 62% of Brits food supply, and unions and farmers stress that by backing British farming, the country can become a more food secure nation.
Farmers Union of Wales President Glyn Roberts said: “As we speed towards Christmas, I would like to urge you to think about your rural businesses and see if you can buy local, either for the upcoming Christmas dinner or even gifts for family and friends.
“Speak to your local butcher about meat for the Christmas period and see what your local farm shop has to offer – I promise you will find many of the ingredients you need for your Christmas dinner right on your doorstep.
“There are also plenty of small shops around that offer British and Welsh craft and locally designed gifts and of course the choice for local food gifts is aplenty. It really is worth having a look. These are small decisions we can make that will have a big impact on our rural economy.
“A pound spent locally will go much further than a pound spent in a chain store and it keeps our rural economies going. By supporting our local businesses we don’t help a CEO buy a third holiday home but we help a local mum and dad put food on the table, a family pay their mortgage, a little girl get those dance lessons and a little boy get his favourite team shirt.”
Minette Batters, National Farmers Union deputy president, said consumers 'must get behind British farming'.
"One of the easiest ways this can be achieved is in buying produce displaying the Red Tractor logo, which also provides a guarantee of traceability, environmental protection, food safety and hygiene and welfare standards.
“The festive season is a time when British produce such as roast potatoes, pigs in blankets and traditional turkey are treasured. And while Christmas dinner is the cornerstone of Christmas Day, British agriculture has a far wider part to play this time of year with the provision of British trees, plants and beers, to name but a few,” Miss Batters concluded.
