Caffe Nero took the stance following threats from activists opposed to the effort to control bovine TB. Here’s a snapshot of our work since:
What's the very latest?
Caffe Nero has issued the following press statement:
"There has been a lot of controversy and strong emotion surrounding the culling of badgers. To be clear, Caffe Nero is not for or against this practice. That is a matter for the government and those who have strong views on the policy. We sell coffee.
"We are at a loss as to why our stores have been the target of protestors when we are not part of the debate. In fact 98% of our milk supply came from outside the affected areas.
"In response to serious and credible threats against our team members, we decided that the welfare of our people and our customers came first and have taken a pragmatic decision on our milk sourcing policies. Any threats to our people or customers is totally unacceptable and we have asked the authorities for support and assistance against these threats of violence and disruption.
"Caffe Nero has long standing relationships with farmers throughout the UK. We will continue to be supportive of the NFU and are working with them to find a suitable outcome for all parties. However as a first priority we must guarantee the safety of our people and customers."
NFU repsonse:
Caffé Nero has confirmed it has received serious threats to its staff and its business from those people opposed to the badger cull. Our farmer members on the ground faced these same levels of intimidation and threats. This is a small minority of people who think nothing of intimidation and threats of disruption to achieve their ends.
It is a shame that Caffé Nero felt it had to bow to this type pressure but it again highlights the kind of tactics being used by those who want to stop the cull. We will work with Caffé Nero to see that their sourcing policies support British farming.
It is important for the whole of the supply chain to stand together on the issue of TB eradication to safeguard the future of our beef and dairy sectors. We need to remember that at the heart of this issue we are talking about controlling bovine TB – a disease which is responsible for the slaughter of 32,000 cattle in Great Britain last year. It is spreading in cattle and in badgers and will continue to spread if left uncontrolled.
The pilot badger culls are a government policy, based on scientific evidence, aimed at controlling this disease which is a huge threat to dairy and beef farmers in the South West and other parts of the country. The 25-year TB eradication strategy published by government last year is the first comprehensive plan of its kind for England. It gives us the best chance to eradicate this disease by dealing with it on all fronts.
The dairy team and our Westminster work
Our dairy team has spoken with senior figures at Caffe Nero. They've told us that they are keen to fully understand more details about the cull areas and the impact of the decision that they have made. These meetings continue.
The NFU has spoken to ?Medina Dairies, who supply Caffé Nero with liquid milk and cream.
We’ve also spoken to Defra. Their public statement says:
"It is wholly unacceptable for a small group of protestors to intimidate and threaten retailers in this way.
"Our strategy for tackling bovine TB is based on advice from the Chief Veterinary Officer about the best way to control this harmful disease which threatens the future of our dairy and beef industries.
"We will continue to work closely with the dairy industry and retailers to offer them all the support we can."
Finally, we’ve spoken to DairyUK who have put a clear statement out to say that the cull is part of government policy and that their members support the TB eradication plan.
Our food chain unit
The NFU’s food chain team has been in contact with a number of retailers and food service companies to outline concerns with the decision.
Our advisers have offered support, information and advice about the impact of other businesses following suit. At this stage we are not aware of any retailers or food service companies changing their sourcing policy. In addition, the food chain team has contacted a number of trade organisations to ensure they have the up to date information on this issue.
Setting the record straight on Newsnight
Meanwhile NFU Deputy President Minnette Batters led the counter arguments in the media, appearing on BBC Newsnight on Monday (watch from 37 mins).
She explained to more than 600,000 viewers that the chain’s decision was about protecting their staff from the “serious intimidation and harassment” experienced by farmers in the cull zones.
She went on to explain what that meant, adding that farmers had, in some cases, been “concerned to go out at night”, and that they “had found people outside their houses in balaclavas looking in though their windows”. She said: “Farmers have been left in a very distressed state, with children who cannot sleep.
“This is government policy, supported by the chief vet. This isn’t about obliterating badgers. I have farmers all over the country who want to keep their badgers healthy. If you have a sick badger infected with bovine TB you cannot vaccinate it, you cannot make it better, it will continue to infect other badgers and cattle. We want healthy badgers and we want healthy cattle.”
The NFU has also written to the editor of BBC Newsnight. Presenter Evan Davis wrongly stated as fact that “there is overwhelming public antipathy towards shooting badgers” and that the chain is not the only ones boycotting milk from badger cull areas.
Both of these statements are incorrect and the NFU has asked the BBC to correct the points.
Making the media point
Here's just some of the coverage we have been involved in:
- Daily Mail p38 30.5.16
- Times p12 1.6.15
- Telegraph p7 1.6.15
- Daily Mail p3 2.6.15n
Web
- Daily Mail - Cafe Nero bows to animal rights threats
- Daily Mail - MPs rage at the 'spineless' Caffe Nero cowards: £1.2billion in sales but company hasn't paid corporation tax since 2007
Telegraph - Activists turn fire on Sainsbury's in war over badger cull milk - Western Daily Press -Caffe Nero, milky coffee, the badger cull and a bizarre PR disaster
- Western Morning News -Farmers hit back in battle over milk from badger cull zones
The NFU has also made farming's voice heard on the following radio stations:
BBC Radio Devon Drivetime, BBC Radio Somerset Drivetime, BBC Radio Gloucestershire Breakfast, BBC Radio Devon Breakfast, BBC 1 Points West News, BBC 1 South West News at 6 and ITV 1 West Country Tonight.