Retailer Marks and Spencer’s has announced that they will be extending their UK sourcing of lamb by a further six weeks in 2017.
The move has been welcomed by NFU Cymru, following a recent meeting of the union's Livestock Board, where Marks and Spencer’s Head of Agriculture and Fisheries, Steve McLean, addressed elected delegates from across Wales.
NFU Cymru Livestock Board Chairman, and beef and sheep farmer, Wyn Evans said the sector is "delighted" to hear Marks and Spencer have extended their UK sourcing of lamb.
"In a time of uncertainty for the farming industry, it is encouraging that Marks and Spencer recognise the quality of Welsh and British lamb," Mr Evans said.
Steve McLean said farmers are "at the front" of the supply chain.
"It is important to us that their businesses are profitable," Mr McClean said, "our procurement policy is key to our business and its longevity.
"Ensuring good sourcing and maintaining high product standards are key to us as an own brand retailer.
"Our lamb suppliers are important to us and this is why we have decided to extend our UK sourcing of lamb by a further six weeks in 2017.
"Furthermore we are keen to work with our farmer suppliers to develop more regional sourcing of lamb, which will clearly benefit Welsh farmers."
British produce in prominent positions
Wyn Evans added: "It is clear that going forward we must focus on what consumers want and their changing demands, with regards to carcass weights and specifications, because ultimately we want to see more British produce in prominent positions on supermarket shelves.
"We do hope that the extension of UK sourcing of lamb will prove popular for Marks and Spencer and that they will look to move to 100% UK sourcing in the near future," Mr Evans concluded.
Retailer Co-op has also made a similar announcement; from May 2017 all of its bacon and lamb will be sourced from British farms.
The news comes just days after Back British Farming day and at the start of British Food Fortnight, both part of an industry-wide push to celebrate Great British food.
Steve Murrells, retail chief executive at The Co-op, said the retailer is a "major supporter" of British farming.
"This move is a first for a major food retailer and will see us invest millions more into sourcing home produced goods," Mr Murrells said.
"It’s an exciting time at the Co-op and our growing confidence is shown by our investment in UK farming as we do business a better way to meet consumer demand."
