News Consumers back farmers
on British food standards • Imports must meet UK standards – poll • Public want support for food producers • Consumers are proud of our countryside
F
ood imports should only be allowed into the coun- try if they meet UK stand-
ards, suggests a consumer survey which shows widespread public support for British farmers. Some 84% of consumers be- lieve the next government should ensure all food imports meet the same high animal welfare and en- vironmental standards that are in place on British farms, accord- ing to the research. Just 16% of shoppers said they would knowingly buy food pro- duced to lower animal welfare standards than those met by UK farmers, reveals the Com- Res poll carried out on behalf of the British Guild of Agricultur- al Journalists.
BGAJ president Baroness Ro- sie Boycott described the findings as a stark reminder to govern- ment that the public valued the high standards of British farm- ing at a time when Brexit threat- ened to open the door to substand- ard food imports.
No appetite “There will always be countries able to produce cheaper food than Britain but it always comes at a cost. It could be the safety of the food, the farmer, an animal or the environment,” said Baron- ess Boycott. “With Brexit on the horizon
we’re on the brink of potentially seeing lower quality food imports flooding into the country. The sur- vey resoundingly shows there’s no appetite for it.”
The results of the study come at a critical time for British ag- riculture – which stands to lose more than most sectors unless the protection provided by Europe- an single market is replicated by the next government after the UK leaves the EU.
“It is the responsibility of government and the entire sup- ply chain to put the safeguards in place to protect both British
8 ANGLIA FARMER • DECEMBER 2019
Now is time for farmers to welcome the public
N
“I think this would need to be enshrined in law rather than relying on the goodwill of retailers and the public.” Daniel Brown, Suffolk.
“The public are more inclined to say the “right” thing when they are being interviewed by a pollster – but then to do the exact opposite.” William Barber, Norfolk.
farmers and the consumer, whose heads may still be turned by at- tractive price deals in tough eco- nomic conditions, despite how they have responded.”
Important message Many countries which can pro- duce food cheaper than Britain are often using production meth- ods which are illegal here and
The findings are a stark reminder to government, says Baroness Boycott
“ Survey results
Food production • 84% of adults say the government should ensure imported food meets UK production standards • 62% of the public say British farmers should receive financial support to produce food • 39% of adults agree that a UK farmer’s primary purpose should be to feed the nation.
Environment • 62% of adults say farmers have a role to play in generating renewable electricity
Cheaper food always comes at a cost – including to farmers
ine out of 10 people say they would like to visit a farm and find out more about food production and the way farmers look after the coun- tryside.
The survey to find out how British people feel about visiting the nation’s farms was conducted by the Linking Environment And Farming (LEAF) charity. It is pre- paring for the 15th anniversary of its Open Farm Sunday event, which takes place next June. Some 91% of respondents said
they felt it was more important than ever for farmers to open their farms to the public. The poll – which was conducted this au- tumn – attracted 522 responses from consumers and people work-
across Europe; chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-injected beef being two well-reported ex- amples.
Tim Lang, professor of food policy at London University, said: “An overwhelming 84% want imported food to be of the same standard as home produced food. Gung-ho supporters of yoking the UK to the USA post Brexit should note this.”
Prof Lang added: “The survey suggests the UK public almost certainly recognises the need for UK farming to tick lots of boxes. It’s got the message that farming is multi-functional. But have the politicians?”
• 48% say food with a higher carbon footprint should be subject to a climate change levy • 34% say new technologies, including genetic modification, should be used to grow UK food
Supermarkets • Only 24% say UK farmers receive a fair share of profit made by retailers
Access to the countryside
• 62% of adults agree the public has adequate access to the UK countryside • 79% of the public are proud of the British countryside and the farmers who sustain it
Farmer reaction
[source: ComRes / British Guild of Agricultural Journalists]
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