Is Justin King, boss of Sainsbury's supermarkets, deliberately trying to antagonise British farmers? Last Friday, at Cirencester College, he said, and I paraphrase, that Buying British in preference to imported food was "simplistic" and pandered to the "fashion" of worrying about food miles. He called any supermarket sourcing policy that made this a priority "fundamentally flawed". Buying from African farmers really helps them, he went on, and he claimed concerns about the distance such goods had to be transported were misplaced.
It sounds to me like Mr King is preparing to increase his imports from around the world because he has located produce that is cheaper than he would have to pay here. This attack feels like the beginning of a PR campaign to persuade Sainsbury's customers its OK to import even more. Meanwhile, he doubtless hopes, it will help him enhance his companys' bottom line and perhaps his personal bonus as well.
Am I being cynical? Maybe. But no more so than Mr King, I suggest. For to come out with such an anti UK farmer statement as he did last week at a time when it is fast becoming necessary to produce more of the nations food at home to ensure long term security, is as cynical as it gets. And if he thinks African's are really benefiting from the trade he gives them he should visit the production areas to see for himself. Yes, most of the bosses are doing OK. But their prosperity relies, all to often, on the continued exploitation of workers.
I thought better of you Mr King.