The team outlined the extreme pressures producers are facing and suggested how Lidl can support the sector. The supermarket issued the following statement and we will continue to work with the chain to develop discussions further.
Lidl said: ‘As a responsible retailer, we work very closely with farm assurance schemes such as Red Tractor and RSPCA Freedom Food, which heavily champion British farming.
‘We are proud to say that 100% of our fresh milk is British, and that 100% of our own label fresh beef, pork, and chicken are also British. We have developed and maintained strong, long-standing relationships with our suppliers, including Graham's the Family Dairy, with whom we have worked for 15 years now, and we are continually looking to add value and to expand our British ranges with our suppliers where possible.
‘For example, we work closely with family-run Joseph Heler and continue to work with Wyke Farms on added value products in an effort to continue to actively source British as much as we can. With a strong European presence, we also export several thousands of tonnes of cheese per year of British cheese to 26 different countries.
‘Naturally, we are concerned about the challenges faced by British farmers currently as a result of volatility in global market conditions. As such, we have pricing mechanisms in place which are monitored at regular intervals during the contract period to reflect market fluctuations and to ensure that our farmers continue to be paid a fair and accurate market price.
‘Our cost prices are in no way linked to our retail prices and any reductions in retail prices are absorbed by Lidl.’