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The UK Environment minister George Eustice
has been in conversation with the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) discussing the
introduction of new labelling methods for food sold online reports the Daily Express. The labelling involves a button that will highlight British foods
for online shoppers. The idea of a British button first arose during a Westminster Hall debate on 7 March.
The future of food labelling was brought up:
“I would like to raise the subject of labelling on online shopping, because
often if one wants to shop online one doesn’t know whether it’s British food or
not,” said Conservative MP Rebecca Pow, “Would there be a way that we could
consider having a button to press when you do your online shop so that you can
just choose from British produce? Surely that’s really going to help us as we
leave the EU?”
Towards the end of the debate, Eustice
disclosed that the “Buy British” button is something that he and NFU were
discussing as a method to “avoid voluntary principles.”
In our increasingly digital age, online
shopping is the norm, and that’s including the weekly grocery shop. As it
stands, 29% of UK online grocery shoppers are shopping for their groceries more online nowthan a year ago. The difference between doing your shop from the handles of
a shopping trolley versus a keyboard and mouse is that your senses are rendered
completely useless in the online realm. Online grocery retailers present a
stock image of produce; shoppers are unable to inspect separate produce much
less determine the country of origination if it is not made evident in the
product description. The British button will provide online shoppers with
relevant information about produce. If the “Buy British” button scheme were to
come about, online grocery retailers would add a special filter to their
websites to show UK-grown food only.
Is it Wise?
With Brexit looming ever closer on the
horizon, the question that must be asked is whether the introduction of such a button
will ensure the prosperity of the British market. MPs are firmly behind the
idea and are urging the Government to launch the scheme. Loyal nationals will
welcome the addition of what is essentially a British filter for food products.
The button will allow people to refine the massive online market and keep
revenue within the UK.
In this turbulent time, it’s important for
shoppers to support UK farmers. Meurig Raymond, NFU President, said, “From the
independent surveys that the NFU has carried out over the years, we know that
86pc of shoppers want to buy more British food, so we would welcome any move
which would enable them to back British farming.”
The British Button could prove beneficial
to the UK economy to the detriment of the rest of the EU. For the Irish beef
sector specifically, the button spells disaster. According to Agriland,
50% of Irish beef is sold within the UK with 45% going to the EU. The remainder
goes to countries without the EU. Chief Economist Rowena Dwyer said that the
surplus of Irish beef could negatively affect the EU market which “will not be
able to cope … if Irish exports to the UK are displaced.” Dwyer spoke at the
launch of the IFA’s policy paper on Brexit.
Jacqui Litvan
Jacqui
Litvan, wielding a bachelor's degree in English, strives to create a world of
fantasy amidst the ever-changing landscape of military life. Attempting to
become a writer, she fuels herself with coffee (working as a barista) and music
(spending free time as a raver).
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