WE'RE PLEASED TO BRING YOU JUST SOME OF THE MAJOR FOOD & DRINK RETAIL AND SUPPLY STORIES RECENTLY COVERED BY THE GROCER.
Red Tractor: New tiered approach to pig welfare standards and labelling gets go-ahead
It follows a six-week industry-wide consultation that explored enhanced welfare modules for outdoor and indoor pig farms. Read more>>
British berries experiencing ‘spectacular’ season in supply and demand
Data from British Berry Growers has shown almost all major multiple retailers are showing sales increase across strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. Read more>>
Grape Tree to take on Holland & Barrett with ambitious store expansion plan
‘We’re a little ray of sunshine in retail,’ Grape Tree managing director Nick Shutts told The Grocer. Read more>>
EV charge point policy a big opportunity for retailers, government says
‘Immediate changes’ will allow larger EV charging hubs to be signposted from major A-roads for the first time. Read more>>
Iceland Foods reinstates cage-free egg commitment by 2027
The supermarket had reneged on its previous commitment to go cage-free by 2025, citing supply chain disruption and the cost-of-living crisis making it unachievable. Read more>>
Inflation surge hits spending power for two in five households
Two in five UK households experienced declining spending power last month as inflation reached its highest level in 18 months. Read more>>
Dozens of farmers secure access to water following EA case
Current restrictions will be lifted for approximately 150 of the 240 farmers impacted by a cessation order. Read more>>
Henry Dimbleby warns government’s Food Strategy is ‘worthless’ without backing from PM
‘To guarantee success, the prime minister needs to step in,’ said Dimbleby. Read more>>
Cheesemongers slam ‘illogical’ ban on Italian and French imports
Defra has suspended imports from the two countries over fears lumpy skin disease could spread to the UK. Read more>>
Welsh government’s Sustainable Farming Scheme still concerning farmers
Earlier proposals for the subsidy scheme had led to farmer protests across Wales. Read more>>
BRC urges government to exempt shops from business rates hike for large properties
The trade body is hoping ministers will listen to its warnings that taxing large shops more will also harm the smaller ones the plans are supposed to help. Read more>>
Hot weather drives earlier harvest and raises wildfire risk
The first report of the 2025/26 season showed multiple reports of winter barley being cut in June. Read more>>
Food white paper ‘erased’ from Food Strategy after claims of No 10 intervention
It is understood proposals to set out plans for future policies and possibly legislation, which were included in an original draft of the proposals, were ditched after intervention from No 10. Read more>>
Poultry body warns against Frankenchickens ‘pressure campaign’
The trade body issued an explainer after an animal protection charity sent a letter to more than 1,600 chicken farmers, highlighting that they may be breaking the law if they raised ‘Frankenchickens’. Read more>>
Defra sets out 10-point Food Strategy plan for healthier food and greener supply chain
The outcomes framework includes demands of the industry to make healthy food more affordable and to step up action to tackle the obesity crisis. Read more>>
Drought extended into more counties as dry weather set to continue
Dry weather is set to continue and is impacting water resources across England requiring water companies to take action to manage demand. Read more>>
Sexual harassment ‘endemic’ in food and drink sector, says Unite
A third of women in the food, drink and agriculture sectors said they had been sexually assaulted in the workplace, claims new research from trade union Unite. Read more>>
Changes to seasonal labour model ‘would cost industry £43m per year’
Implementing the Employer Pays Principle in the UK horticulture sector would further impact food security, a study has warned. Read more>>
NFU calls for ‘no more concessions’ with US on trade
The US has voiced interest in securing further concessions on access to UK agrifood sectors. Read more>>
Apple orchards 'could halve in 12 years without action'
The caution was issued by British Apples & Pears, which revealed the number of apple orchards in the UK could halve in just 12 years unless action is taken. Read more>>
Dairy Roadmap expands to include supermarkets in bid to slash emissions
The scheme, launched in 2008 in a bid to improve sustainability within the dairy sector, has created a new governance structure. Read more>>
Salcombe Dairy crowdfunding £250k for bricks & mortar expansion
Devon ice cream maker Salcombe Dairy is seeking to raise £250k from the crowd to expand its profitable bricks & mortar footprint. Read more>>
MPs and peers call for government ban on male chick culling
The letter has called on the UK government to mandate the use of in-ovo sexing technology. Read more>>
Farmers offered £150m Capital Grants to help boost profits
It funds a wide-range of on-farm projects – from tree planting and flood prevention to improved slurry storage and water filtration. Read more>>
Veg shortages loom if dry weather continues, growers warn
Carrot growers are ‘gambling’ on using all their water now to keep core crops growing in the hope that rain will come before later crops come into their key growing season. Read more>>
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