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Consumers trust farmers more than supermarkets, survey finds
Meat counter
The survey also found that healthiness is more important than the cost for shoppers when it comes to choosing what food to buy.

Healthiness more important than cost

Consumers trust farmers more than supermarkets when it comes to food safety, according to a new report.

Figures from NatCen's British Social Attitudes Survey show that 58 per cent of people trust farmers to make sure food is safe to eat.


In contrast, just 33 per cent of people said they trust the government, while a similar percentage (34 per cent) said they trusted supermarkets.

"This may be because these organisations are viewed as either being motivated by profit either directly or indirectly or it may be the result of food scares," said Caireen Roberts, research director at NatCen Social Research.

The survey also found that healthiness is more important than the cost for shoppers when it comes to choosing what food to buy.

Over 80 per cent said that it matters "a great deal" or "quite a lot." But less than half (47 per cent) said it matters that food cost is low.

Furthermore, the majority of the public said that it matters that food has not gone through a lot of processing (69 per cent). They also said it is important the farmer or grower is paid fairly (58 per cent).

NatCen says that further research will be needed to see whether the public's attitudes change over the coming years.

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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise 100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.