Hampshire MPs want 'Buy British' section on supermarket websites

An open letter to retail bosses says an online tab would collate produce from across the country, giving shoppers greater power and helping them to support the nation's farmers.

The MPs say the suggested change would enable the public to better identify homegrown goods.

MPs say a 'Buy British' section on supermarket websites would help shoppers to identify homegrown produce (Image: Thomas Haywood)

In a recent survey commissioned by the National Farmers' Union (NFU), 61 per cent of respondents said issues involving the supply chain and market volatility were harming their mental health.

Dairy farmers who took part in a second NFU survey said cash flow and profitability problems were threatening the future of their businesses.

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The agriculture sector is facing an expensive harvest following the driest February in 30 years, the hottest June on record, and a wet July. It is also having to cope with sky-high bills for energy, fuel, and fertilizer.

The open letter champions the work of Britain’s farmers.

It cites their role in ensuring food security, supporting strong local economies and preserving the environment whilst helping people to make easy choices when shopping for food.

Minette Batters, who farms on the Hampshire-Wiltshire border, is president of the National Farmers' Union (Image: NFU)

Caroline Dinenage, Conservative MP for Gosport, is among those who have signed the letter.

She said a 'Buy British' section would provide people buying food online with an easy and accessible way to support UK farms.

Citing the public's desire to know more about where their food comes from, she said a simple change on a webpage would help ensure homegrown food was easily identifiable.

Meon Valley MP Flick Drummond has also signed.

She said: "I am very supportive of this simple measure that will benefit consumers and our farmers and producers across the Meon Valley and the whole of the UK.

"For those who shop online it can be difficult to identify British produce.

"Having a ‘Buy British’ tab on websites is going to empower supermarket customers to make informed choices about where the food they buy comes from and buying British is an assurance of quality and good welfare standards."

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NFU president Minette Batters added: "It's great to see MPs and their constituents getting behind the idea of a ‘Buy British tab’ online.

"We know 86% of the public want to buy more British food, but it is often tricky to determine what products are produced in the UK.

"This simple change would help shoppers do that."