Public backs farmers against supermarkets 18 November 2002
British farmers are getting a raw deal from supermarkets, an opinion poll from Friends of the Earth shows. Almost two-thirds of those polled think farmers are not paid enough by supermarkets for the food they produce. And more than four-fifths want the supermarkets to give preference to UK products over imported products when in season.
NOP Omnibus's survey to 999 respondents is designed to be nationally representative of the telephone owning population aged 15+. Key findings were:
- Do you think that at present supermarkets pay farmers enough for the food they purchase from them, or not?
Yes: 16%
No: 63%
Don't know: 22% - Do you think supermarkets should sell UK grown products in preference to imported products when in season, or not?
Yes: 84%
No: 13%
Don't know: 3%
"Supermarkets are giving UK farmers and growers a raw deal. They claim this is a response to consumer demand - but it's clear that the public wants farmers to get a fair price for what they produce," said Friends of the Earth Real Food Campaigner Sandra Bell. "And people also want preference to be given to UK products in season. Consumers should put more pressure on supermarkets by looking to farmers' markets and small retailers to supply them with quality home-grown food whenever possible."
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