Two steps ahead, one step again. The fraudulent meat scandal that has been revealed by Farmers Weekly over the previous few weeks has felt like an enormous slap within the face for British farmers.
Shopper belief is invaluable – straightforward to lose and intensely exhausting to regain.
See additionally: Lucy Nott – we’re optimistic concerning the SFI
In regards to the writer
Lucy Nott
Farmlife opinion author
Lucy lives together with her husband, a sixth-generation farmer, and their two youngsters on a 100ha (250 acre) arable farm in Worcestershire. On the farm they’ve a ardour for regenerative agriculture and aspire to transition to a regenerative system. They’re additionally a part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot and are trialling a lot of new issues on the farm. They hosted their first LEAF Open Farm Sunday (LOFS) this yr and Lucy is now the LOFS Ambassador for the West Midlands.
With the elevated promotion of vegetarian and vegan diets and the cost-of-living disaster, the consumption of meat within the UK is already on the decline.
For many who had been already consuming much less meat, studying about fraudulent meat could possibly be sufficient to cease them from consuming it altogether.
For farmers, it’s an unwelcome reminder of how little we (and our sustainably produced, high-welfare meat) are valued within the provide chain.
Though I’m positive many farmers are reminded of this each day.
It’s extremely irritating that the Union Jack on the entrance of meals packaging has had its credibility questioned.
The flag is an easy identifier for conscious customers – however how are customers imagined to make knowledgeable selections on their meals selections if they will’t belief the labelling?
Severe harm has been performed and, sadly, British agriculture goes to have to choose up the items.
There are all the time alternatives, nonetheless, and customers could recognise that it’s the “intermediary” who has deceived customers and exploited hard-working British farmers.
The easiest way for customers to safeguard themselves is to purchase direct from farms and native producers.
Shortening the provision chain and getting nearer to the provenance of their meals. That is what we have to encourage.
If we will’t cease the development of consuming much less meat, then we have to encourage our fellow British residents to purchase larger high quality and sustainably produced native meat.
I could also be an arable farmer, however I’ll get on my soapbox about this till the grass-fed cows come house.
Shoppers could have been deceived and farmers omitted of pocket, however now could be the time to remain in line with our message of shopping for British and shopping for native.
Let’s begin spinning the constructive PR wheel – we consider in what we do, and so ought to British customers.
