On Back British Farming Day the Government endorsed Dr Luke Evans MP’s campaign for a ‘Buy British’ section on supermarket’s online stores.
Dr Luke Evans, the Member of Parliament for Bosworth, led calls for the ‘Buy British’ tab which would collate produce from across the UK when people are shopping for groceries. An open letter states customers would have “greater power in their choices”, enabling them to support the nation’s farmers “quickly and easily” while buying homegrown produce and reducing environmental impact.
Following conversations with famers in the MPs constituency of in Bosworth – where 85% of land is used for agricultural purposes – who said the best way to support them is simply “buy British produce”, Dr Evans wrote to supermarket Chief Executives.
The open letter penned by Dr Evans, sent to supermarkets with online stores, has been signed by 119 cross-Party MPs, supported by the National Farmers Union (NFU) and farmers from across the nation.
The Food and Farming Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, has backed calls for industry-led action to signpost customers to ‘Buy British’ when they shop online and will support campaigns to endorse the taste and quality of home-grown meat and dairy products.
The letter states the change could be achieved “by the click of a mouse”, with many shops already labelling British products, therefore the online change is simply bringing the produce to the fore in a “one-stop online shop” for the public to better identify homegrown produce.
An NFU petition in support of the Bosworth MP’s campaign has, by Back British Farming Day on 13th September, reached over 17,000 signatures in only six days.
Dr Luke Evans, Member of Parliament for Bosworth, said “I’m delighted the Government have endorsed my ‘Buy British’ button campaign which will make it easier for consumers to buy homegrown produce, support farmers and help to protect our environment.
“Supermarkets say they are keen to support our food producers, yet this easy signposting doesn’t currently exist for the millions of people who prefer to do their food shop online.
“Farmers, consumers and now the Government have all supported my call for the ‘Buy British’ section… I hope that the supermarkets will respond to the widespread demand for this simple change.”
Thérèse Coffey, the Secretary of State for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs, said “This Government will always back British farmers who produce some of the highest quality food in the world, contribute billions to our economy and are the custodians of our countryside.”
Minette Batters, President of the National Farmers Union, said “Britain’s farmers and growers are truly inspirational, and it is heart-warming to know the public really value the work we do in producing fantastic homegrown food.
“We know from our own independent survey that 86% of the public want to buy more British food, but it is often tricky to determine what products are produced in the UK and this simple change would help the shoppers do that.”
