Sainsbury’s Makes British Lamb Commitment
Sainsbury’s has committed to source 100% British lamb by 1st July. Despite the wet and cold spring, the UK retailer is working with its farmers to increase the availability of quality new season lamb on its shelves through May and June until it is all British.
Lamb from Sainsbury’s 400+ meat counters is 100% British all year around, as well as its chilled Taste the Difference and organic ranges. Adding to this, Sainsbury’s will focus on maintaining 100% British sourced lamb during the main season across its chilled range which includes chops, joints and mince. The lamb season can vary from year to year, however by having a strong relationship with sheep farmers Sainsbury’s can work with them to make the most of the British lamb season to the quality that customers expect.
This announcement follows Sainsbury’s move last year to extend the end of the British lamb season until the New Year, making it five weeks longer than the previous year (2014/15). This helped make the most of the increased availability of stock from that season while reassuring farmers that were affected by low prices.
Philip Hambling, Agriculture Manager at Sainsbury’s, says: “The Weather can have a big impact on our sheep farmers so the cool, wet spring we have had means many of these farms have had a difficult start to the year. We never stop buying British lamb and we’re pleased to confirm 100% of the lamb we source will be British by the beginning of July, if not sooner. We feel it’s important to make this commitment to our farmers in advance so they can plan for the season ahead.”
Henry Dunn, a Sainsbury’s sheep farmer from Newent, Gloucestershire, adds: “I’ve worked closely with Sainsbury’s for over 10 years, I think they really understand the impact the weather has had on us and the importance of switching at the right time. By making this commitment up front means we have confidence in the coming months.”
