New Zealand farmers have invited former Sex Pistol John
Lydon to see how they make butter and other dairy
products.
| Have your say on New Zealand farmers' claims about free range
cows and GM-free grass in our
FWiSpace forums. |
The invitation follows a TV advertising campaign in which Mr Lydon
– also known as Johnny Rotten – extolled the virtues of English
Country Life
butter.
The Federated Farmers of New
Zealand said the former punk rocker should see for himself the
way cows are kept down under.
“Never mind the butter, it’s the quality of the milk what
counts,” said Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers’ dairy
vice-chairman.
“While all milk may contain the same basic properties, Kiwi cows
are in a league of their own.
“Grazing outdoors on GM-free grass and natural winter feed makes
for happy cows and fantastic-quality milk.”
European Union tariffs were the only barriers holding back sales
of New Zealand’s
Anchor butter in the UK,
said Mr Leferink.
“While I’d like to think of dairy farmers as being the rock
stars of the New Zealand economy, I’d be pleased to host that old
punk rocker, John Lydon, on my farm.
“Perhaps Mr Lydon could use some of the money he got paid for
endorsing the British brand to pay for his flight down under.”
Only hand-crafted but expensive British butter matched New
Zealand butter for quality, Mr Leferink claimed.
“New Zealand’s climate and quality pasture means we are in an
agricultural sweet spot. British consumers literally taste freedom
when they eat New Zealand butter.”
Dairy Crest’s butter
advertising campaign featuring Mr Lydon sent sales of English
Country Life soaring when it aired on TV screens across
Britain.
The commercial reminded shoppers that the butter was made with
100% British milk unlike other brands from New Zealand and
Denmark.
It was being supported by a
website encouraging
people to sign a pledge that they were "proud to buy
British".
- Read our
Field Day Blog to see our views on the Country Life
advert.
- Have your say on New Zealand farmers' claims about free range
cows and GM-free grass in our
FWiSpace forums.