Guy Opperman MP has launched a campaign to support local farmers in Northumberland. 

The MP, who represents the rural seat of Hexham, has written to each of the major supermarkets in Tynedale and Ponteland to urge them to get behind calls to clearly label British produce to help support farmers in Northumberland. 

In April 2017, the National Farmers Union (NFU) commissioned a survey by the polling company YouGov which found 81% of customers thought that supermarkets should change labelling to clearly state the origin of produce on shelves. 

In response, Morrisons announced last year that it would change its online website to make it easier for customers to identify British products, but other competitors are yet to follow suit. 

In a major speech at the Oxford Farming Conference last week, the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Barclay MP, announced a government consultation on clearer labelling to tackle the unfairness around unclear labelling, while protecting consumers and farmers. 

MP for Hexham, Guy Opperman said: "I am calling on supermarkets to do the right thing and make this simple change now to support farmers in Northumberland.

"Our farmers work incredibly long hours, day and night, in difficult conditions to produce some of the finest produce anywhere in the world. 

"I know that local people want to play their part in supporting farmers in Northumberland, but too often, packaging is unclear or misleading. Just a small change by the supermarkets will go a very long way. 

"To their credit, Morrisons have taken the lead and have already made it easier for customers to buy British. I am now calling on the likes of Tesco, Waitrose, Marks and Spencer, and Sainsbury's to do the same. Let's give our local farmers the recognition they deserve. "