On Tuesday 21st March, Jo Churchill MP, writing in a letter to Chief Executive of Tesco, described the discontinuation of Silver Spoon granulated sugar, as “disappointing”. The decision taken recently, has the potential to impact the sugar beet industry spanning East Anglia, which supports just under 10,000 jobs. British Sugar owns four factories across the eastern region, including a plant in Mrs Churchill’s Bury St Edmunds town centre employing 230 people and supporting seven hundred local farmers.
Mrs Churchill’s letter describes British Sugar as “…not only an asset to our rural economy, but is symbolic of home grown produce widely available in the UK.
…Therefore the decision to withdraw Silver Spoon from Tesco shelves is disappointing and removes from consumers, the choice to buy and support home grown sugar.
Mrs Churchill pointed out that whilst she cannot argue with the business premise the decision “is at odds with Tesco’s objective of ‘collaborating with our suppliers’, making it appear somewhat of a token gesture”.
Ending the letter, Mrs Churchill pointed out that as the UK enters negotiations to leave the European Union, British Sugar is already investing in new, long term opportunities for the future of the home grown sugar industry. She therefore described the decision to withdraw British Sugar supplies from Tesco shelves as “…short sighted and fails to ensure we provide the goods we require in a home grown and sustainable way…”
Discussing the letter written to Tesco’s Chief Executive, Jo Churchill MP said:
“British Sugar processes all sugar beet grown in the UK and produces around half of the UK’s quota for sugar. The decision taken by Tesco to withdraw British Sugar from their shelves, has been described as in the best interest of customers. Whilst I understand this, it would be disappointing to deny consumers, especially local customers, the opportunity to buy local and home-grown British sugar.
I feel it is important to remind Tesco of their corporate social responsibility and ensure, especially where they commit to ‘collaborating with suppliers’, that they are held to account.
Furthermore, as we seek to leave the European Union and establish trade deals across the world it is essential that, as we become more outward looking we, simultaneously, seek to enrich our own home grown businesses.
I want to ensure that Tesco are reminded of this and of the impact this decision will mean for local residents and farmers.”