Supermarkets Respond to Committee Concerns on Polish Beef Imports

27 April 2020

Henderson Wholesale Ltd.

Committee for Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs Northern Ireland Assembly

Re: Response to letter dated 7 April 20 - Polish Beef Supplies to Supermarkets

To Whom It May Concern

I note that this query has arisen on the back of other supermarket groups sourcing fresh beef outside of Northern Ireland. You asked for reassurance from 'Spar' regarding our sourcing policy.

Henderson Wholesale Ltd is responsible for the central supply of retail product to the following Supermarket Brands: Spar, Eurospar, Vivo and VivoXtra.

In relation to your queries:

The Committee requests from Spar reassurances that our focal beef farmers are prioritised lry both the supermarkets and processors. The Committee are unable to understand how our focal processing sector was unable to meet demand - be that local or GB led demand.

The Fresh Beef that Henderson Wholesale supply to our Retailers has been, and will continue to be sourced within this island, the vast majority of which will be exclusively from Northern Ireland with a minority of product sourced in the Republic of Ireland. Our main brand for retail packs of Fresh Beef is under the brand Spar Enjoy Local, and all this product is, and always will be, from Northern Ireland.

We will continue to identify Northern Irish Beef as our chosen specification requirement to our Fresh Beef suppliers of the Spar Enjoy Local range, who can liaise with their supply chains to support forecasting and demand patterns further up the supply chain.

The Committee also asks Spar to provide assurances that systems are now in place to ensure that local farmers are prioritised and that local processors are able to meet demand using local produce.

Our systems remain unchanged. We have, and always will plan, to source our Fresh Beef primarily from Northern Ireland. Our Enjoy Local brand will always have Fresh Beef sourced from Northern Ireland (supply chains permitting, of course).

Furthermore, the Committee has noted that for the farmer, prices are collapsing, despite what appears to be ve.ty high and unprecedented demand. The Committee asks Spar to outline what actions it's taking to provide support and assistance to our local beef farmers, and make certain that they, as the first and most vital step in the food supply chain, are .it to meet the demands of this crisis including that of basic survival.

Our primary relationships are with our Retailers and our suppliers. We will continue to be a responsible Wholesaler, as we have been for many decades, in supporting the choice of choosing local suppliers whenever possible and in supporting local retailers to meet the needs of their local communities.