Marks & Spencer (M&S) has this week made several commitments to British farming as well as setting a host of sustainability-related food targets, as part of the launch of its Plan A for Farming.
The retailer has reaffirmed its commitment to sourcing 100% British across key products such as beef, chicken, pork and milk, and says that by 2030 all of its British products will come from farms using regenerative practices.
Supporting it all is a £14 million investment in sustainable farming and innovation, which includes a new £7 million invested over the next five years covered by a ‘Farming for the Future’ programme. The new financial commitment builds on a £7 million investment already provided.
M&S also said it will be looking to develop new industry leading standards for beef and milk, in partnership with farmers. And it wants the government food strategy to evolve, with the retailer calling for complex farming grants to be replaced with simpler incentives and allowances, as well as training schemes where businesses, schools, colleges, and universities show young people the opportunities in farming.
Alex Freudmann, now three years into his role as managing director at M&S Food, said: “British farming is the backbone of our food industry and the foundation of M&S Food.
“British food is the best in the world and at M&S, we’ve invested millions to support our farmers who produce it. But the future of British agriculture can’t rest on industry alone. That’s why we’re backing our farmers in their call for government to step up – starting with a clear, legally binding target to increase the proportion of food eaten in Britain that is grown here. It’s time to turn warm words into action.”
Farming for the Future
M&S’s five-year Farming for the Future programme will bring together 200 farmers and growers across the UK to tackle sustainability at farm level in what the retailer describes as “a truly holistic way”.
It will involve strategic partnerships with Linking Environment and Farming (better known as LEAF), Soil Association Exchange, and Sustainable Soils Management, while M&S will provide 50 farms across the country with a fully funded package of environmental monitoring, expert advice, and practical support.
Farmers will receive personalised soil, biodiversity, and carbon assessments, as well as firsthand training and digital tools. M&S argued this practical support and insight will help better look after soils, protect nature, and reduce the farms’ respective carbon footprints.
Plan A for Farming
M&S has this week launched the Angus Gold Standard, which is an Aberdeen Angus beef standard using a science-led Angus breeding programme, which the retailer said guarantees exceptional eating quality and high welfare.
It also unveiled the Enhanced Milk Pledge, which includes support for farmers in regenerative farming covering things such as real-time monitoring of the health and wellbeing of the animals via artificial intelligence.
Read about the full Plan A for Farming
£14m investment in farming
On top of the £7 million already committed over recent years, M&S has earmarked £4.5 million over the next five years in ongoing investment and collaboration with farmers, on top of the cost of goods or cost of production. An additional £2.5 million is being made available in grants over five years through the Plan A Accelerator Fund to support innovation projects tackling agricultural emissions.
Read more about M&S on Green Retail World
[image credit: M&S]
