Farmer near Wisbech fearful amid 'farmwashing' move
There are calls for major supermarkets to back British farmers
Last updated 26th Sep 2024
A livestock farmer near Wisbech believes it's "unfair" how major supermarkets are not better promoting the work of British farmers.
It comes as a new campaign looks to stop so-called 'farmwashing', which is when produce is made to look like its from the UK, when actually it isn't.
'Farmwashing' involves fake farm brands being used by supermarkets to give shoppers the impression that their products come from British family farms, when food is sourced from places such as overseas.
"It's completely wrong"
"Having things like the Union Jack on a bag of carrots saying it's packed in the UK, I've got reasonably good eyesight but it's a lot to read while you're walking around a supermarket picking up items," Paul Day, of Bramblebee Farms, said.
"It's completely wrong and very unfair to us farmers.
"There's a cucumber in a plastic bag (I have) from one of the 'big six' with a bar code, there's no use by date and no country of origin, so it's a big worry what's going on."
Open letter calls for action
The likes of Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre, and chef Rick Stein have joined a group of farmers in writing an open letter to the CEOs of the largest supermarkets in the UK, calling for an end to 'farmwashing'.
Supermarket bosses are also being urged to better support British farmers with alternative buying practices, including with smaller family farms.
Campaigners believe 'farmwashing' tactics used by the major supermarkets are making it harder for genuine small farmers to compete.
Research by Riverford Organic Farmers found 67% of British farmers feel under pressure from supermarkets and are fearful of being delisted if they complain about supermarket buying behaviour.
Campaigning is "best thing we can do"
Paul said smaller family farms may find it tough to survive in the industry.
"Not everybody's got the skillset to perhaps be able to adapt, or the mental stability to handle the downturns along the way; it's an extremely difficult job," he added.
"Small farms like us we won't work with the supermarkets but we can't put our prices up to perhaps where they need to be to be profitable because we're outpricing the supermarket way too highly and people will stop shopping with us.
"If we don't campaign, we'll get completely walked over so whoever is out there that can campaign I think is the best thing we can do."
A representative of the supermarkets insists they're always keen to promote British farming.