ASDA has been accused of “arrogant complacency” over of a lack of Scottish produce on its shelves.
The supermarket giant has previously come under fire from the farming sector after it was revealed that it stocks no Scotch lamb whatsoever, while less than 15% of its beef stock was Scottish.
SNP candidate for Aberdeenshire West, Fergus Mutch, has written to all major supermarkets to encourage them to do more to support Scotland’s farmers by increasing the availability of the Scotch brand.
He has singled out Asda after receiving a three-line reply stating “Scottish suppliers are well represented” on its shelves.
READ MORE: Scotch beef disappears from Tesco shelves amid Covid-19 crisis
Mutch said: “The facts are the facts. Asda is among the worst supermarkets in supporting Scottish farmers and food producers. Reports have found that they have barely any Scotch beef for sale, and no Scotch lamb whatsoever.
“To claim black is white and that ‘Scottish suppliers are well represented’ is just insulting.
“It’s the height of arrogant complacency for a £7 billion company to claim they’re supporting Scottish producers when quite obviously they are not. Customers will take a dim view of these claims.”
He added: “Asda can and should do better to support Scottish food and drink at a really uncertain time for the sector. I’d urge to do so much more than simply resting on their laurels.”
Asda informed Mutch that it had not experienced supply issues, stating: “We feel that Scottish suppliers are well represented on our shelves.”
The supermarket added that it has a commitment to selling 100% Scottish beef joints.
Analysis last year found several supermarkets reduced the amount of Scottish produce on their shelves during the initial Covid-19 lockdown.
While Aldi and Lidl kept the percentage of Scotch beef and lamb in their range at 100% from November 2019 to May 2020, other supermarkets saw a reduction during the first months of the pandemic.
The Scottish Farmer found that the percentage of Scottish beef on UK supermarkets fell from 53% in November 2019 to 40% in June.
READ MORE: 'Very worrying': Brazil beef warning after UK Government signs trade 'understanding'
As for lamb, 57% of the products found on shelves in November were Scotch compared to 36% in June.
Last week, Scottish food campaigners raised fears for the meat industry over the newly signed "memorandum of understanding" between the United Kingdom and agricultural powerhouse Brazil.
Campaigners are warning that the scene is being set for the importation of beef produced using growth-promoting hormones.
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