Foul play for local butchers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Apr 2008

Edinburgh South Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson Fred Mackintosh has hit out at a decision by leading Scottish poultry supplier to end supplies of chicken to Edinburgh independent butchers.

Fred Mackintosh said, "Butchers in South Edinburgh have told me that they can no longer source Scottish poultry after Joseph Mitchell (Letham) Ltd told wholesalers that it would no longer supply the retail trade. It looks like Scottish butchers have been frozen out by major supermarkets" said campaigner Fred Mackintosh "It is farcical in this day and age that Edinburgh Butchers like Michael Field in Marchmont have to get their poultry from Cheshire."

Over Christmas Fred Mackintosh carried out a survey of local businesses including independent butchers and all concerns with supply of produce. There has to be a concern that major supermarkets are trying to ensure that they only sell British poultry to address customers concern about animal welfare and are using their dominant position in the market to buy up what supply there is.