Supermarkets in row over organic imports
UK - Leading supermarket chains have been accused of importing cheap organic meat and salads produced to lower standards than required in Britain.The Soil Association criticised Tesco, Asda and Morrison for their sourcing policy, particularly in beef, pork and salads. Helen Browning, Food and Farming director, said: “We really need to get long-term commitment from supermarkets to buy products grown in the UK.”
Figures from the Soil Association showed the organic sector is booming with the weekly vegetable box emerging as the biggest growth market.
In just one year sales from these box schemes and direct mail order from farms has grown 51.7 per cent.
Many consumers for the first time are sourcing their own food from farms and appear to be bypassing supermarkets.
This trend has helped drive up the value of the whole UK organic food sector to £1.2 billion, an overall increase of 11 per cent, the equivalent of an extra £2.3 million a week. Supermarkets continue to sell the most organic fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy produce with sales worth £913 million.
Source: TheTimes
14 November 2005
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