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New Poll Shows Public Back Farmers v Supermarkets

18 Nov 2002

PUBLIC BACKS FARMERS AGAINST SUPERMARKETS

A new opinion poll commissioned by Friends of the Earth reveals that most of the British public think supermarkets are giving farmers a raw deal. Almost two thirds 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, between the 8th and 10th November carried out the poll. The questions were asked on the Telebus survey to 999 respondents from around the GB. This survey is designed to be nationally representative of the telephone owning population aged 15+.

1. 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%
   
   
2. 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%

Next week (Monday 25th November), Friends of the Earth will publish a major survey of apples sold in UK supermarkets, greengrocers and markets (contact FOE Media Unit for further information on this survey). The results are expected to show that the supermarkets have the worst record of the three in stocking UK produced apples. Last month, FOE and the UK Independent Fruit Growers Association published a report showing that supermarkets regularly rejected UK grown fruit for cosmetic reasons.

Friends of the Earth food campaigner Sandra Bell commented:

“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. 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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