MP has hailed the decision of
Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket, to become the latest
retailer to support the campaign he is backing which called on
supermarkets to implement an online ‘Buy British' button.
Henry said;
“The campaign for a ‘Buy British' button aims to make it even
easier for people to buy homegrown produce, supporting our
nation's farmers and cutting down on unnecessary food miles.
“Tesco follow the lead of Morrisons, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Ocado,
Waitrose and the Co-op by making this small but meaningful change
which puts our farmers and consumer choice first.
“I hope Asda follow suit soon.”
In August 2023, the Crawley MP and more than 100 other
parliamentarians signed an open letter
calling on supermarkets to highlight the very best of British
produce by implementing a ‘Buy British' section online.
The letter, written by Bosworth MP Dr Luke Evans, stated ‘Our ask
is simple, create a tab that collates produce from farmers,'
citing consumer choice, environmental benefits and support for
farmers as reasons to make the change.
Now, Tesco have followed Morrisons, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Ocado,
Waitrose and Co-op by launching a ‘Best of British' section
online which the retailer's Chief Commercial Officer says
“[brings] together over 500 quality, affordable British products
to choose from.”
Dr Luke Evans MP commented;
“I'm pleased to welcome Tesco to the fray. It's great to see the
UK's largest supermarket join other major retailers in
implementing an online ‘Buy British' section which will support
our farmers and give consumers greater choice.
“This is really welcome news and a step forward in supporting our
nation's food growers and producers by showcasing over 500
homegrown items, with everything from meat and vegetables to
dairy products now easier to find on the ‘Best of British' tab.”
The Deputy President of the National Farmers' Union, David
Exwood, said;
“We know from our own independent research that the public want
to buy more British food from retailers which is why it is good
news to see Tesco join six other supermarkets to add a buy
British section on its website.
“We have been championing this important issue since 2016 and
today's news is a fantastic result for the campaign organised by
Dr Luke Evans MP. It offers shoppers a direct way to support
their local farms and buy homegrown produce.”
The Chief Commercial Officer at Tesco, Ashwin Prasad, said;
“Supporting British farmers, growers and suppliers remains
critical to ensuring we have a robust food industry here in the
UK, and we count ourselves as proud champions of British
agriculture, striving to source produce from the UK wherever
possible.
“Our customers share our love for British produce, and we want to
do all we can to make it as easy to find as possible, no matter
how they shop with us, so we're thrilled to be launching our Best
of British page on our groceries website, bringing together over
500 quality, affordable British products to choose from.”
