Customers visiting retailers for UK-produced food have no trouble finding it, said the British Retail Consortium (BRC).
Responding to Conservative party claims, made last week as part of the party’s ‘Honest Food’ campaign, the BRC said retailers support UK farmers and extensively promote their produce.
Andrew Opie, BRC director of food, said: “As its biggest, although not only, customer, retailers are huge supporters of UK agriculture. The vast majority of fresh food sold in UK stores is sourced in the UK. Retailers run extensive promotions on UK produce, using price-cuts, advertising and labelling. Any customer going into a store for UK produce will have no trouble finding it.
“Retailers fully comply with labelling law. They are also actively involved in the Assured Food Standard. Its Red Tractor logo is independently audited to guarantee food origin and production standards. There is no attempt to mislead.”
Launched by the shadow environment, food and rural affairs secretary, Nick Herbert, the campaign aims to get compulsory ‘country of origin’ labelling introduced, so that products that are labelled 'British' can only originate here.
On launching the campaign, Herbert said: “People have a right to know where their food comes from. Honest Food’ is not about protectionism - consumers should be free to choose food from any country. Clear labelling will empower consumers, not restrict their options.
"Other EU countries fight for the interests of their consumers and their farming industry within the trading rules. It’s time for the British government to show the same spine.”
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