A Bradford district MP who campaigned for supermarket giants to introduce a “Buy British” section on their websites has welcomed the news one store has introduced the change – and hopes others will now follow suit.
Shipley MP Philip Davies wanted it made clear to shoppers which produce was British to allow customers to make an informed decision when buying and to help support farmers and British businesses.
He was one of more than 120 cross party MPs who campaigned for the issue this summer and wrote to supermarket bosses calling for change. Chief Executive of Bradford based Morrisons Rami Baitiéh, has confirmed the section is now available on its morrisons.com site.
Mr Davies, who worked for ASDA for twelve years before entering Parliament, said: “I am delighted that Morrisons has introduced this change and I know it will be welcomed by British farmers and businesses too. Many shops and businesses already sell and label British produce but what we wanted from this campaign was for all the produce to be in one section, easily accessible so shoppers had the choice to only buy British if that is what they wanted.
“Our British farmers work so hard to ensure our food security and it is right we do everything we can to support them. I hope other supermarkets will follow the lead of Morrisons and make this simple change to their websites.”
Since the MPs wrote to the supermarket bosses, more than 27,000 people have signed a petition by the National Farmers Union (NFU), calling for a “Buy British” section online.
Government is also backing the campaign and hopes supermarkets will act.
Steve Barclay, Secretary of State for Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs, said “Our farmers produce the best food in the world and it’s great for shoppers to have clear information about the choice to buy British and opt for high quality and exemplary animal welfare standards.
"Supermarkets do a huge amount to promote great British food and it is good news they are now finding innovative ways to make it easier to pick British and to back our farmers."
