Farmer’s wife calls out supermarkets on British sourcing

A Cumbrian hill farmer’s wife has urged the UK’s biggest supermarkets to do more to support British farming, warning that continued reliance on imports risks undermining the nation’s long-term food security.

Liz Staley, who is married to an upland sheep farmer, has written an open letter to major UK retailers calling for fairer pricing, stronger sourcing commitments and clearer labelling of British produce.

The letter, written on behalf of the All Farmers group, was sent on 17 January to Aldi, Asda, Iceland, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose and others.

See also: Thousands urge action over ‘unfair’ supermarket buying

Speaking to Farmers Weekly, Mrs Staley said her decision to write the letter had become a personal mission.

“Writing this letter has become a mission. As the wife of an upland sheep farmer, watching what is unfolding, I feel deeply concerned,” she said.

“It’s clear that supermarkets, together with the government, are falling short of the climate targets we as farmers are expected to meet, not thinking of the long-term food production of our country.”

Mounting pressure on farmers

The letter highlights mounting pressure across dairy, livestock, arable and horticulture, with farmers squeezed by rising costs, low returns and supply chains that favour cheaper imports even when British food is available locally.

Mrs Staley argues that UK farmers are held to some of the highest environmental and welfare standards in the world, through schemes such as Red Tractor, yet supermarkets continue to source lower-standard food from overseas. She says this adds food miles, undermines climate goals and leaves the UK exposed to global instability.

Liz Staley © Liz Staley

“Supporting British farming isn’t a marketing slogan. It’s about fair pricing, honest sourcing, and protecting our ability to feed the nation,” the letter states. “Food security matters. Climate responsibility matters. And farmers need more than words.”

Mrs Staley accepts that some produce such as tropical fruit needs to be imported. But she says there is “absolutely no reason” for supermarkets to import items such as tomatoes and mushrooms when they are in season, adding that British lamb is available to source from UK farmers year-round.

The letter sets out a five-point plan calling on supermarkets to prioritise British produce, pay fair prices that reflect the cost of sustainable farming, champion British agriculture in stores, work with farmers to meet climate targets, and provide clearer country-of-origin labelling.

Government action

The call comes as politicians acknowledge growing concern about supply chain fairness.

Speaking at a recent Oxford Farming Conference event, Labour MP Henry Tufnell said the cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs select committee, which he sits on, was renewing its focus on labelling and the government was strengthening the role of the Groceries Code Adjudicator.

“We’re thinking about how we can get a strong food production, and make sure that the farming community get a fair price for the food they provide to society,” he said.

Farmers Weekly has asked the British Retail Consortium to respond on behalf of retailers.