Big coffee chains must back British dairy farmers – NFU

The NFU is in talks with Caffe Nero and other major coffee shop chains to urge them to commit to sourcing more British and Red Tractor products to help struggling dairy farmers.

Caffe Nero’s policy to not source milk from farms in the badger cull zones due to pressure from anti-cull activists has drawn fierce criticism from MPs and farmers.

But the NFU said talks were “ongoing” and now being held with Caffe Nero, Starbucks, and Costa Coffee to highlight the importance of sustainable sourcing models for the British dairy industry.

See also: Caffe Nero stance on badger cull disappoints farm leaders

The NFU has held regular meetings with retailers, including Morrisons, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl and Waitrose, urging them to develop sustainable pricing models to help desperate dairy farmers. 

But NFU president Meurig Raymond said large coffee shop chains, such as Costa, Starbucks and Nero, also had a crucial role to play to help farmers.

“We need all three of the UK’s major coffee shop chains to make clear commitments on how they can back the British dairy industry and help develop fair and sustainable pricing arrangements with their supply base.”

NFU dairy board chairman Rob Harrison added: “We believe the hospitality sector, as well as food service companies, can do significantly more to back British dairy farmers at this time of crisis in the dairy industry.”

Costa Coffee, Starbucks and Caffe Nero account for 80% of the UK’s branded coffee shop market.

The industry’s revenue is set to grow at a compound annual rate of 7.3% to total just over £6.7bn over the five years through 2015-16, according to research by ibisworld.