Constituents have contacted me about promoting British produce in the UK.
I have always supported the work of our local farming community and meet regularly with farmers here in the Congleton Constituency as I very much recognise the crucial role our farmers play to produce high-quality British products that we have on our tables. These are products which not only deliver on taste and quality but have been produced in line with the UK’s high animal welfare standards and with lower environmental impacts.
I am aware of the campaign calling for a “Buy British” section when shopping online and have been assured that the Government is committed to backing British farmers and wants to make it easier for consumers to do so too. Clear and consistent labelling will provide consumers with better information about how their food was farmed, so that farmers are fairly rewarded for meeting or exceeding high UK welfare standards. Government Ministers will gather views through a consultation on how to make packaging information clearer to help boost consumer confidence and ensure that farmers are rewarded.
Further, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will also explore how to ensure that our great British food stands out, improve how origin information is given online to help people find British products, and look at how to ensure promotional activity such as Union Jack labels on supermarket shelves matches the products on the shelf.
My ministerial colleagues and I will always back British farmers and that we value their extreme hard work, in all weathers, producing some of the highest quality food in the world and contributing billions to our economy, while looking after the countryside.
Fiona Bruce MP
January 2024
