Outrage At Retailers Lack of Support For Local Farmers
UK - Supermarket chain Somerfield has once again come under fire from NFU Cymru. Despite repeated warnings over their policy of stocking imported lamb and beef in favour of locally produced Welsh meat, which meat the highest quality assurance standards, the store’s Welshpool branch was last week found to be promoting Irish beef at a discounted price.
13 November 2007
2 minute read
"There is very real anger that a supermarket in a town such as Welshpool, which is dependent on the farming industry, cannot show its support."
Bobby Morgan, NFU Cymru’s Chairman for Montgomeryshire
Bobby Morgan, NFU Cymru’s Chairman for Montgomeryshire said, “NFU Cymru is absolutely disgusted that the Somerfield store in Welshpool is promoting Irish beef at a time when farmers in Wales are on their knees following the market crash caused by the Foot and Mouth outbreak.
“There is very real anger that a supermarket in a town such as Welshpool, which is dependent on the farming industry, cannot show its support for the farmers of this country. Somerfield is crucifying local farmers and displaying a total disregard for the local community and economy upon whom they depend for their custom.
“Welshpool is a rural town and many of Somerfield’s customers are farmers or have strong links to farming. However, the store chooses to ignore the significant effect a policy such as theirs has on lamb and beef prices in the immediate area and the knock on effect it has on the income of farmers in the town and throughout the whole of Powys.
“I would urge Somerfield, and indeed all retailers, not to turn their backs on home-reared beef and lamb in favour of cheaper imports or they run the risk of losing the Welsh lamb and beef industries altogether.”
TheCattleSite News Desk
