Sainsbury’s has committed to source 100% British lamb by 1st July.
The retailer is working with its farmers to increase the availability of new season lamb on its shelves through May and June until it is all British.
The lamb season can vary from year to year, however by having a strong relationship with sheep farmers the supermarket can work with them to make the most of the British lamb season to the quality that our customers expect.
This announcement follows Sainsbury’s move last year to extend the end of the British lamb season until the New Year, making it five weeks longer than the previous year (2014/15).
This helped make the most of the increased availability of stock from that season while reassuring farmers that were affected by low prices.
Philip Hambling, Agriculture Manager at Sainsbury’s said: "The weather can have a big impact on our sheep farmers so the cool, wet spring we have had means many of these farms have had a difficult start to the year.
"We never stop buying British lamb and we’re pleased to confirm 100% of the lamb we source will be British by the beginning of July, if not sooner.
"We feel it’s important to make this commitment to our farmers in advance so they can plan for the season ahead."
Henry Dunn, a Sainsbury’s sheep farmer from Newent, Gloucestershire adds: "I’ve worked closely with Sainsbury’s for over 10 years, I think they really understand the impact the weather has had on us and the importance of switching at the right time.
"By making this commitment up front means we have confidence in the coming months."
Year of British produce
Organisations from across the farming industry are joining forces to celebrate everything that’s great about quality British food.
In a concerted effort, the NFU, Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Red Tractor and Love British Food are uniting to coordinate a calendar of events for the autumn of 2016 which has been designated the 'Year of British Food' by the Government.
The campaign starts with the NFU’s Back British Farming day in September, followed by an autumn of driving consumer awareness of quality, assured British food.
This activity includes Red Tractor Week, British Food Fortnight, a 12 week Red Tractor on-pack promotion across retailers and foodservice operators, supporting TV and in-store advertising campaigns and British sausage week in November.
The NFU will be helping schools integrate farming education into their harvest festivals with the addition of ‘Why the Harvest Matters’ resources to supplement its existing ‘Why Farming Matters’ education pack.
The plans will be unveiled at a special great British breakfast launch event today (April 27) at Farmers and Fletchers in The City, in the presence of Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss.
