McDonald's raises prices paid to 6,000 British farmers
McDonald's has underlined its commitment to the UK farming industry by increasing the price it pays their beef and pork producers. The company will pay 5 per cent more for the beef and pork it uses and this will be passed directly on to the 6,330 British farmers that supply them.
Matthew Howe, Senior Vice President at McDonald's, said: "Our business is built on the highest quality British farming and we have a responsibility to act on our loyalty and commitment to the industry.
"British farming currently faces arguably its most challenging period for many years and there is little doubt that, at current prices, beef and pig farmers cannot make a return on their animals. We hope this combination of measures will help relieve some immediate pressures and provide stability going forward."
Comments from Anthony Gibson, Director of Communications, National Farmers' Union
"This is a very welcome gesture of support from an important customer for British meat at a time of great difficulty for the livestock sector. We shall be monitoring the prices paid to farmers by McDonald's supplying abattoirs to verify that the increase earmarked for farmers is actually received by them, and we would expect McDonald's to take their own steps to ensure that happens."
