The NFU has called for retailers to show more commitment to sourcing British beef and lamb after the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) published its latest figures for the amount of British beef and lamb found on supermarket shelves.
The figures represent the amount of chilled and fresh beef and lamb seen on supermarket shelves during the month rather than sales.
Morrisons, Waitrose and Marks & Spencer have shown a continued commitment to British beef with both displaying 100% fresh beef in stores, while Aldi and Lidl have both shown a 100% commitment.
The EBLEX figures also show an increase in the amount of British beef on sale at Asda, up from 42% to 65%, and Sainsbury’s has also demonstrated an upward trend. However, the report shows a small decrease in the availability of British beef in Tesco stores although they are still showing over 80% British.
Lamb figures vary because of seasonal availability and buying policy. The report shows that Marks & Spencer were displaying only 4% of British lamb on its shelves when the samples were taken – a massive reduction from 50% this time last year. Somerfield, Waitrose and to a lesser extent Sainsbury’s and Tesco have also displayed disappointing levels of British lamb on their shelves.
However, Asda have maintained their levels of British lamb despite seasonality with figures showing 70% British.
NFU livestock board chairman Alistair Mackintosh said: “The NFU would like to see greater commitment across the board for sourcing British beef and lamb. Given the right signals British producers are willing and able to satisfy any demand.
“Some supermarkets have 100% British beef and high percentages of lamb on their shelves and I believe others could stock more and show further commitment to British producers.”
Source: NFU
