Supermarkets ban Cox apple imports


17 September 1999


Supermarkets ban Cox apple imports


IN AN unprecedented demonstration of support for British growers, leading supermarket chains will not import the Cox variety of apple this season.


Sainsbury, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose and Somerfield are supporting the ban, preferring instead to source their supplies from domestic growers instead.


The supermarkets made the move after 500 apple-growers lost about £500,000 in subsidies because of their refusal to stop labelling their apples as English.


Under European Union rules, growers are not allowed to suggest that apples from any country of origin are superior from those grown in other parts of Europe.


See more