ROBERT STUDY WELCOMES HIGHER PRICES FOR UK FARMERS FROM MCDONALD’S
MEP Robert Sturdy has welcomed moves by fast food chain McDonald’s to pay UK farmers an extra 5% for their beef and pork. He recently met the company’s head of EU Affairs, David Coleman, who outlined their plans to support the ailing agricultural industry.
Mr Sturdy said he welcomed the initiative, which involves setting up a special mechanism to ensure the price increase was received directly by the farmer. It is to run in the UK only.
“I welcome this initiative and hope this will set an example to other companies in the UK and beyond to embrace this kind of corporate social responsibility. We all have a responsibility to ensure the sustainability of our agricultural industry, as well as local businesses that are an integral part of our society.
“Farmers have been squeezed by supermarkets for too long, and as concerns over high food prices grow, it is easy to forget that the prices we pay in shops and restaurants is not reflected by the price paid to the producers. As a result, the farming community has become disheartened over recent years, but this initiative should help restore that.”
