Sainsbury's vows that all its lamb will be British

Lamb sold from the retailers meat counters and in its chilled ‘Taste the Difference’ and organic ranges is already entirely British all year round - but Sainsbury’s has now pledged to extend the 100 per cent British commitment to the rest of its chilled range, which includes chops, joints and mince.

The announcement follows a move last year to extend the end of the British lamb season until the New Year, making it five weeks longer than before.

Philip Hambling, the company’s agriculture manager, said: “The weather can have a big impact on our sheep farmers so the cool, wet spring we have had means many of these farms have had a difficult start to the year.

“We never stop buying British lamb and we’re pleased to confirm 100 per cent of the lamb we source will be British by the beginning of July, if not sooner.”

The National Farmers’ Union hailed the move, with its chief livestock adviser John Royle saying: “We welcome Sainsbury’s announcement to extend the season both with British new season lamb but also extending the season until after Christmas when we still have plentiful supplies of good quality British lamb available.

“Sainsbury’s continue to show that by working with your supply base builds trust and innovation which improves quality and consistency allowing the retailer to extend the period they stock British lamb over imported lamb that has travelled many thousands of miles to reach the British consumer.”