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| | Support British Growers and Farmers |  |
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| SUPPORT BRITISH GROWERS AND FARMERS Local Euro MP and Labours spokesperson on Agriculture in
the European Parliament, Brian Simpson, has urged all local people to buy local and/or British products when out shopping this weekend. “I’m sorry
to say we in Britain show no loyalty to our own produced food preferring instead to buy processed foods and ready made meals, most of which does not come from Britain.” said a concerned Mr
Simpson. “ I know in the past we have had problems with BSE and Foot and Mouth, but I firmly believe we now have some of the safest food in the
world and of a higher quality.” UK farming is at present struggling to recover from a number of set backs, including lower prices and reduced
export markets, which means the homegrown market now has a crucial role to play is sustaining not only the farming industry, but our rural communities also, and this is where Mr Simpson believes the
consumer can help. “ look for the red tractor mark, look for the country of origin on the packaging, buy local fruit and vegetables and buy
British dairy products. I don’t apologise for making this buy British produce call, because I know in other countries, their nationals buy their food, but it appears we are happy
to buy ready meals containing Brazilian chicken, or Argentinean beef” commented Mr Simpson. A recent survey found that in the
dairy sector alone, 16% of dairy farmers plan to leave farming in the next two years because they are losing 3p per litre of milk produced. So the Labour MEP has a message to
supermarkets and the food processing industry. “Stop ripping off our farmers. Pay them a reasonable rate
for their products and cut your profits. But there is little chance of that unless consumers use their buying power to bring about change.” For each litre of milk farmers get 17.5p, processors get 16.9p and Supermarkets get 13.1p Since the demise of
the Milk Marketing Board in 1994, farmers have had no influence on price. Just 3 processors now dominate the supply of milk to supermarkets. Red tractor mark
guarantees that the food is British and of good quality.
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