I recognise the crucial role our farmers play to produce high-quality British products that we have on our tables. These are products which not only deliver on taste and quality but have been produced in line with the UK’s high animal welfare standards and with lower environmental impacts.

I am aware of the campaign calling for a “Buy British” section when shopping online. I am assured that the Government is committed to backing British farmers and wants to make it easier for consumers to do so too. Clear and consistent labelling will provide consumers with better information about how their food was farmed, so that farmers are fairly rewarded for meeting or exceeding high UK welfare standards. I understand that Ministers will gather views through a consultation on how to make packaging information clearer to help boost consumer confidence and ensure that farmers are rewarded.

Further, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs will also explore how to ensure that our great British food stands out, improve how origin information is given online to help people find British products, and look at how to ensure promotional activity such as Union Jack labels on supermarket shelves matches the products on the shelf.

My ministerial colleagues and I will always back British farmers and that we value their hard work producing some of the highest quality food in the world and contributing billions to our economy, while looking after the countryside.

GREAT Food and Drink Campaign -

Following the UK Farm to Fork Summit, the Government confirmed £2 million of investment to boost the UK’s programme of global trade shows and missions, as well as £1.6 million for the GREAT food and drink campaign. Our food and drink exports bring £24 billion to the British economy, and the UK’s network of agri-food attachés play an important role in removing barriers to trade and opening up new trading markets. The UK has been building on its existing overseas network with additional agri-food and drink attachés who have a key role in removing restrictive market barriers.