Jamie Oliver has said that his love and respect for British farmers was part of the inspiration behind his programme Jamie's Fowl Dinners.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning Mr Oliver said that chicken was a "big part of the economy" and he hoped to create a stigma about not buying British.

In the programme screened on Channel 4 at 9pm tonight, Mr Oliver provides a gala dinner and shows the processing, slaughtering and preparation of chickens to his guests which he later serves to them.

• Watch footage and hear what he has to say.

Poultry World understands that Mr Oliver has today apologised to all members of staff at Sainsbury’s, following his criticism of the supermarket chain for not taking part in the debate on his new show.
 

• A letter was sent to 150,000 staff from the supermarket.