The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) have sent an open letter to retailers across the UK, urging them to support British beef and sheep farmers by promoting cuts of meat such as steaks and roasting joints.
NFU livestock board chairman, Richard Findlay, said that the supply chain has a moral responsibility to both farmers and consumers and should take action with that in mind.
Open letter
In their letter to UK retailers, they highlighted the lack of financial return they have been seeing for their produce as a major issue, citing that it undermines the moral partnership needed between all sections of the supply chain.
“We understand very well that buying patterns in retail have caused significant problems with products like steaks and joints being outsold and out of balance by mince. Put simply, we cannot sustain a stable supply of one half of each animal.”
“We think the whole chain has a renewed moral responsibility to make sure we market and value our product responsibly to avoid disruption to the consumer and of course to the farmers’ ability to maintain supply.”
In-balance
The NFU urged retailers to buy in-balance, in order to ensure farmers receive a sustainable price for their animals.
“We are encouraged to see some retail lines promoting those prime cuts such as steaks and roasting joints as Easter and the warmer weather approaches. We will be contacting all retailers separately and in short order, to understand individual plans to deal with the disruption in supply.”
“All the farmers we represent want to help you help the nation through this crisis, we do however need all retailers to play their part with us. The NFU will be contacting all retailers separately to understand individual plans to deal with the disruption in supply,” the letter concludes.
