Backlash as Morrisons trials sale of New Zealand lamb

Morrisons has received a backlash from angry farmers as it trials the sale of New Zealand lamb instead of 100% British lamb in 39 of its stores.

The supermarket says the move is due to customer demand for cheaper prices.

“The blunt commercial reality is that New Zealand lamb is cheaper to source”, it said in a statement, adding that its butchers’ counters will still sell British lamb.

The National Farmers Union (NFU) said it was “disappointing” at a time the British livestock industry was under pressure and that New Zealand lamb is “produced to potentially lower standards”.

NFU livestock board chair David Barton said he hoped the supermarket dropping its commitment to sell only British lamb was temporary and that the trial would come to an end.

“Recently, the UK farming unions wrote to the chief executive of Morrisons and other top retailers seeking support for the industry including a steadfast commitment to local sourcing in order to maintain food production across the UK and to safeguard our food security”, he said.

Meanwhile, the National Sheep Association (NSA) said it was “dismayed and frustrated” by the decision, which “goes against all the principles on which the supermarket has built its reputation amongst the farming community”.

But Morrisons said the trial follows an “extensive exercise” listening to customers who “were very clear” that they wanted the supermarket “to sell lamb at a more accessible price all year round”.

It added that New Zealand lamb was cheaper to source than British lamb, although the NFU said the meat from overseas comes with “significant food miles”.