Marks & Spencer (M&S) has urged the government to set a legally binding target to boost the proportion of food eaten which is reared or grown in the British isles.

The department store and supermarket chain has also called for the replacement of "complex grants" with simpler incentives for farmers, as well as the introduction of apprenticeships and training schemes where businesses, schools, colleges, and universities can show young people the opportunities in farming.

The call to action comes as the supermarket retailer, which has partnerships with 10,000 farms across Britain, commits to a new strategy for farming which will run until 2030.

The new strategy focuses on British sourcing, sustainability, high standards, and resilience.

As part of the new scheme, it has pledged a further £7 million over the next five years to support sustainable farming and innovation following a previous £7 million investment.

M&S has also reaffirmed its pledge to source 100 per cent British across key products, including Beef, Chicken, Pork, and Milk.

In addition, the retailer has said that by 2030 all of its British products will be sourced from farms using regenerative practices.

M&S added that it has launched a new integrated Aberdeen Angus beef standard, using a science-led Angus breeding programme, which it says guarantees "exceptional eating quality and high welfare."

The new standard was introduced at two depots last week, with "Angus Gold" steaks available in 90 stores.

This will be scaled to cover the total M&S Aberdeen Angus supply by 2028.

M&S has also introduced a new milk pledge which will see it collaborate with farmers to deliver "leading animal welfare requirements" and regenerative farming practices.

As well as this, the company said it would support farms with HR and community engagement, including real-time monitoring of the health and wellbeing of the animals via AI.

“British food is the best in the world and at M&S, we’ve invested millions to support our farmers who produce it," said Alex Freudmann, managed director, M&S Food. "But the future of British agriculture can’t rest on industry alone.

"That’s why we’re backing our farmers in their call for government to step up – starting with a clear, legally binding target to increase the proportion of food eaten in Britain that is grown here. It’s time to turn warm words into action.”

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