The NFU's food business unit have investigated reports of Morrisons promoting imported chicken on shelving edged with the Union Flag.
Morrisons has confirmed that, although Polish poultry meat has been sold in some stores and may be sold again, this has been on a very limited basis.
The supermarket confirmed that the product should not have appeared on shelving with Union Flag edging or near the flag in the aisle.
Additional guidance has been sent to stores and we understand that the 'country of origin' will be made much clearer on the packaging in the future.
Morrisons says that it has already invested in the UK poultry supply chain and will continue to, but that is a longer-term plan, and they are responding to current market pressures.听
Misleading for shoppers
NFU Poultry Board Chair James Mottershead said: 鈥淚t is extremely disappointing to see Morrisons putting imported chicken on shelving edged with the Union Flag.
鈥淲e have a product to be proud of, and we want to produce more of it to meet growing demand. But actions which undermine farmers鈥� trust in retailers also destroy our confidence to invest in the future.鈥澨�
NFU Poultry Board Chair James Mottershead
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鈥淣ot only could this be misleading to shoppers, but it鈥檚 a blow to British producers who are adhering to ever higher welfare standards. These standards come at an increased cost to the farm, yet we can鈥檛 say that these same demands are being made for products from other countries.
鈥淲e have a product to be proud of, and we want to produce more of it to meet growing demand. But actions which undermine farmers鈥� trust in retailers also destroy our confidence to invest in the future.鈥澨�
NFU supply chain activity
91仓库food business unit represents British farmers right across the supply chain. It works with retailers and continue to maintain relationships with manufacturers, as well as with the hospitality industry and public sector catering.
For more information on supply chain fairness please see: Fairness in the food supply chain 鈥� NFU response.
