Tuesday, 22 July 2014 14:17

Lamb used as loss leading product in UK

Written by 

MEAT COMPANIES that supply supermarkets and sell New Zealand lamb as a loss leader in the United Kingdom should lose their access to this valuable quota market, says Labour's Primary Industries spokesperson Damien O'Connor.

 

"Our reputation as a Lamb producer must be hurt by today's reports that Welsh farmers are protesting outside British supermarkets where New Zealand lamb is being sold at what those farmers claim are artificially low prices," says O'Connor.

"Those prices are in turn reducing the price of British lamb at the height of the northern hemisphere season.

"Such action by supermarkets destroys the value and the image of New Zealand lamb as a premium product grown and processed to the highest international standards of food production.

"Any loss leader action undermines New Zealand's brand. New Zealand farmers will be horrified to think their quality lamb products are being misused by UK supermarket chains. The value of their lamb is being missed as well as that of Welsh farmers.

"I have sympathy for New Zealand and Welsh farmers, all who should receive more for their lamb rather than see their product sold for a song by UK supermarket chains battling for market share," O'Connor says.

More like this

Co-op boosts chilled exports to China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports to China, following approval for two of its processing plants to supply the market.

Lamb crop drop

There's been a dramatic and larger than expected drop in the number of lambs produced in New Zealand.

B+LNZ refutes UK animal welfare criticism

Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) says recent criticism from the UK’s Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs regarding New Zealand’s animal welfare standards are unfounded.

Featured

ANZCO Foods' net profit plunges

Meat processor ANZCO Foods’ net profit has plunged on the back of lower market returns which squeezed margins and impacted business performance.

Editorial: Forest for the trees?

OPINION: Most people will be aware of the Government's plans to boost coal, oil and gas production to meet energy requirements.

Protest planned outside dairy awards venue

As the dairy industry prepares to celebrate its top achievers at an awards night this Saturday, attendees are being warned to be aware of protests planned outside the venue – Baypark Arena, Mount Mauganaui.

National

Machinery & Products

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Keep it up

OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter