NFU calls on UK retailers to reaffirm their commitments on British sourcing
Photographs: NFU / Realimage/Alamy Stock Photo
Annabel Bagshaw
NFU Food Business adviser
NFU Food Business Adviser Annabel Bagshaw explains how the NFU has called on all major UK retailers to continue supporting British fresh beef and poultry farmers. This follows the NFU’s efforts to raise concerns about the safety of Brazilian imports.
On 3 September 2026, the EU banned imports of Brazilian products of animal origin, including beef and poultry, after Brazil was unable to demonstrate compliance with EU AMR (antimicrobial resistance) requirements.
With the EU market now closed, the NFU has escalated political lobbying efforts amid concerns over the potential for Brazilian meat to enter the UK market, when this produce does not meet standards that British farmers have to comply with regarding antimicrobial use
The NFU’s Food Business Team contacted the UK’s leading retailers, seeking reassurance that their commitment to sourcing British fresh beef and poultry remained unchanged.
All major retailers have reaffirmed their commitment to sourcing British fresh beef and poultry for their fresh ranges.
The NFU continues to call on the UK Government to introduce a set of core production standards, applicable to both domestically produced and imported goods, to protect UK consumers and maintain confidence in food production standards.
”Retailers play a critical role in supporting domestic food production and giving consumers confidence in the provenance and standards of the food they purchase.”
NFU Food Business adviser Annabel Bagshaw
Retailers play ‘critical role’
Retailers play a critical role in supporting domestic food production and giving consumers confidence in the provenance and standards of the food they purchase.
Commitments to British sourcing provide certainty for farmers, support investment in British farming and reinforce the high standards consumers expect.
The NFU will continue to lobby government, stressing the need for a set of core production standards to protect British consumers. The NFU will also continue to call on the supply chain to back British farming, highlighting the high standards British farmers follow.
The NFU also calls on the supply chain to increase transparency about where food comes from. This is critical for allowing consumers to make an informed choice about where their food comes from and is maintaining confidence in supply chains.
Underscoring the need for core standards
Beyond the NFU’s efforts to champion British sourcing across food supply chains it continues to call on government to introduce core standards of production.
These core standards should apply to both domestic and imported food to provide a level playing field for UK farmers and growers and confidence to British consumers regarding the environmental, animal welfare and food safety credentials of their food.
