Supermarts betray farmers with French birds
13 December 1999
Supermarts ‘betray’ farmers with French birds
By FWi staff
THREE major supermarkets have been accused of betraying British farmers after they were found to be stocking French turkeys.
The Daily Mail reports that Somerfield, Sainsburys and Safeway have imported thousands of French birds, despite taking a prominent role in proclaiming to support British producers.
The newspaper says that consumers wishing to boycott French products in retaliation for the French ban on British beef would have difficulty reading the labels on the birds.
The chains insisted there were no safety fears over the turkeys, despite recent EU reports that French poultry feed may have contained sewage.
Safeway claims it is importing French birds because it cannot get the quantities required for Christmas in this country.
Farmers counter that supermarkets stocking cheap imports have pushed down domestic prices, sending producers into debt and out of business.
Sainsburys said it has taken a decision to stock only British turkeys and was running down existing stocks of French frozen turkey, which have an 18-month shelf life.
- French poultry hygiene slammed, FWi, 23 November, 1999
- UK frozen turkeys face import threat, FWi, 27 November, 1998