Don't exploit farmers now

6:53pm Friday 10th August 2007

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THE Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has welcomed the relaxation in Foot and Mouth restrictions allowing livestock to once more enter the food chain.

But it warns that the period between movement starting and the opening of export markets should not be used to take advantage of vulnerable suppliers, desperate to move stock from their farms.

CLA West Midlands Regional Director, Caroline Bedell, said: "With more products suddenly being available, there will be pressure to reduce prices. However, long term relationships with the farming industry are crucial and, at times like this, understanding between parties in the food chain is essential.

"I hope supermarkets will instruct their meat buyers to recognise their long term relationships and avoid the temptation to try and make a quick profit at the expense of those who have shouldered the economic burden of this disease."

Mrs Bedell stressed consumers must also play their part, saying: "We are by no means back to normal so we mustn't get complacent.

"We could still find ourselves in the bizarre situation where the meat on the shelves is imported from countries where Foot and Mouth Disease is prevalent.

"This would compound the agony for home producers, so consumers need to maintain their influence on the market by continuing to buy British food.

"There has been a huge increase in the number of people who demand to know where their food originates. The CLA's Just Ask campaign encourages everyone to ask in shops, restaurants and cafes where the food they are eating has come from. There clearly has never been a more important time to do this," concluded Mrs Bedell