NSA damns messages around ‘cheap food’ as Asda and Sainsbury’s look set to merge
30th April 2018
Promises that the Asda-Sainsbury’s merger will reduce the price of core household goods has angered the National Sheep Association (NSA). The organisation says that while the comments by Sainsbury’s Chief Executive Mike Coupe do not specifically mention lamb, the overall message of retailers expecting more (product and quality) for less (money) from its food suppliers means the squeeze will get tighter.
NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: “This loss of competition in the marketplace, and an increased imbalance in the supply chain, cannot be in the long term interests of food producers, nor in my mind of society at large. It may result in reduced prices, but all this will lead to is less realisation of the value of food and a host of things being lost that may be invisible today but will become very visible at some stage in the future.
“If we end up putting pressure on the bulk of our sheep farming families and businesses we will end up with a very different countryside and rural community – and the danger is that it won’t be noticed until it is lost.”
Notes to editors:-
- For more information contact Joanne Briggs, NSA Communications Manager, on 07908 604744 or joanne@nationalsheep.org.uk.
- The National Sheep Association is an organisation that represents the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK. It is funded by its membership of sheep farmers and its activities involve it in every aspect of the sheep industry. More at www.nationalsheep.org.uk and www.nsanextgeneration.org.uk.
