Peter Kendall, National Farmers Union president, said: “We are concerned about the ramifications for the industry as a whole which is why we are meeting with retailers, food service companies, processors, as well as the FSA [Food Standards Agency and DEFRA [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs], to establish the facts and seek reassurance that the integrity of British food is maintained.
‘Completely undermined’
“This whole system of quality is being completely undermined by failures within the supply chain and reinforces our call for clearer labelling and a commitment from retailers to British produce.”
Kendall advised shoppers should look for the Red Tractor logo on their fresh meat. The label shows which the products “have been produced to world-class standards, which are independently inspected,” he said.
British farmers were “rightly angry” and about the contaminated processed meat products. “The contamination took place post farm gate which farmers have no control over,” he said.