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| Farmers 'furious' at horsemeat scandal says NFU | Farmers 'furious' at horsemeat scandal says NFU |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Farmers' anger at the horsemeat scandal will be reflected at their national conference, union leaders have said. | Farmers' anger at the horsemeat scandal will be reflected at their national conference, union leaders have said. |
| Many farmers believe the crisis over mis-labelled food has damaged consumer confidence in the supply chain. | Many farmers believe the crisis over mis-labelled food has damaged consumer confidence in the supply chain. |
| National Farmers' Union (NFU) president Peter Kendall said: "Farmers have been furious about what has happened." | |
| Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Tesco chief executive Philip Clarke will address the conference, which starts in Birmingham on Wednesday. | Environment Secretary Owen Paterson and Tesco chief executive Philip Clarke will address the conference, which starts in Birmingham on Wednesday. |
| Gate to plate | Gate to plate |
| Mr Kendall said: "Farmers have spent many years working to ensure the British supply chain is fully traceable from farm to pack, and have upheld strong principles which are embodied in assurance schemes like Red Tractor. | Mr Kendall said: "Farmers have spent many years working to ensure the British supply chain is fully traceable from farm to pack, and have upheld strong principles which are embodied in assurance schemes like Red Tractor. |
| "For me this is fundamental for consumer confidence." | "For me this is fundamental for consumer confidence." |
| But there is also a growing sense that this may be a moment of opportunity for British farmers. | But there is also a growing sense that this may be a moment of opportunity for British farmers. |
| They believe that tight regulations, including those introduced in response to the BSE crisis, mean their part of the food industry now sets the standard for others to follow. | They believe that tight regulations, including those introduced in response to the BSE crisis, mean their part of the food industry now sets the standard for others to follow. |
| Farmers have long called for the food supply chain, which can involve many traders and processors between farm gate and consumer plate, to be overhauled and simplified. | Farmers have long called for the food supply chain, which can involve many traders and processors between farm gate and consumer plate, to be overhauled and simplified. |
| BBC rural affairs correspondent Jeremy Cooke said they hoped the horsemeat scandal could mean the rest of the industry - and the government - was ready to listen. | BBC rural affairs correspondent Jeremy Cooke said they hoped the horsemeat scandal could mean the rest of the industry - and the government - was ready to listen. |
| 'Signal change' | 'Signal change' |
| Meanwhile, a poll for the NFU suggested that more than three-quarters of people wanted supermarkets to stock more food from British farms. | Meanwhile, a poll for the NFU suggested that more than three-quarters of people wanted supermarkets to stock more food from British farms. |
| Some 43% of the 1,000 people surveyed said they were more likely to buy food traceable from UK farms in the wake of the horsemeat scandal. | Some 43% of the 1,000 people surveyed said they were more likely to buy food traceable from UK farms in the wake of the horsemeat scandal. |
| Mr Kendall said: "Our research also demonstrates the strong demand for British-farmed products, and so retailers, processors and food service companies have a responsibility to ensure there is clear country of origin labelling on the products that consumers purchase." | Mr Kendall said: "Our research also demonstrates the strong demand for British-farmed products, and so retailers, processors and food service companies have a responsibility to ensure there is clear country of origin labelling on the products that consumers purchase." |
| Speaking to the BBC, Mr Clarke said his supermarket would work more closely with British farmers in response to the horsemeat scandal. | Speaking to the BBC, Mr Clarke said his supermarket would work more closely with British farmers in response to the horsemeat scandal. |
| He said: "The reason I'm here today talking to the NFU is to signal a change, a change which means we'll have the most stringent testing regime, a change that means we'll bring production closer to home, and a change that means we'll have more partnerships with farmers here in the UK. | He said: "The reason I'm here today talking to the NFU is to signal a change, a change which means we'll have the most stringent testing regime, a change that means we'll bring production closer to home, and a change that means we'll have more partnerships with farmers here in the UK. |
| "I think those three things are good signs of why more customers should trust us." | "I think those three things are good signs of why more customers should trust us." |