Alicia Kearns MP has signed an open letter from over 100 MPs calling on supermarkets to highlight the very best of British produce by incorporating a ‘Buy British’ section online.
The letter, penned by Dr Luke Evans MP and supported by 110 cross-Party MPs, states “Our ask is simple, create a tab that collates produce from farmers,” citing consumer choice, environmental benefits and support for farmers as reasons to make the change.
The ‘Buy British’ tab would collate produce from across the UK so customers have “greater power in their choices”, enabling them to support the nation’s farmers “quickly and easily”.
In a recent survey carried out by the National Farmers Union, 61% of respondent farmers stated the supply chain and market volatility have negative impacts on their mental health, with 80% of dairy farmers in a second NFU survey citing cash flow and profitability as key factors which throw the future of their business into doubt.
Farmers face an expensive harvest as domestic weather records – the driest February in 30 years, hottest June ever recorded and a notably wet July – as well as high import costs for energy, fuel and fertiliser threaten positive yields and profits.
The open letter champions the work of Britain’s farmers in ensuring food security, supporting strong local economies and preserving and protecting the environment, while empowering the public to be able to make easy choices in how they shop for their food.
Alicia Kearns, Member of Parliament for Rutland and Melton, said:
“Farmers work tirelessly, around the clock, to produce food for our nation, and the ‘Buy British’ section is an easy and accessible way for the public to support them.
“The British public know there’s nothing better than British produce. This is a small step supermarkets could take to make clear that they’re backing British farming and make it easier for all of us to buy high quality, locally made and environmentally more sustainable food and drink. When inflation is hitting our farmers and food producers, it’s time for supermarkets to do more to support them.
“I’m very fortunate to represent amazing food producers and farmers in Rutland and Melton, from Long Clawson Stilton to Dickinson and Morris pork pies, to Cidentro cider and Round Corner Brewing beers - I for one would use the ‘British Produce’ tab as my default - lets back our amazing farmers and food producers!”
