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Horsemeat row: Owen Paterson set for talks with retailers Horsemeat row: Owen Paterson set for talks with retailers
(about 2 hours later)
The environment secretary is set to meet food retailers and trade bodies later to establish what is being done to restore consumer confidence.The environment secretary is set to meet food retailers and trade bodies later to establish what is being done to restore consumer confidence.
Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons are among those set to attend the meeting with Owen Paterson.Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrisons are among those set to attend the meeting with Owen Paterson.
Meanwhile, some 24% of 2,257 UK adults surveyed by Consumer Intelligence have said they will buy less processed meat.Meanwhile, some 24% of 2,257 UK adults surveyed by Consumer Intelligence have said they will buy less processed meat.
And 21% said they buy less meat in general, and 62% were more likely to buy their meat from independent shops.And 21% said they buy less meat in general, and 62% were more likely to buy their meat from independent shops.
The Drink Federation, and the Institute of Grocery Distribution are among other groups set to take part in talks with Mr Paterson in Westminster on Monday afternoon.The Drink Federation, and the Institute of Grocery Distribution are among other groups set to take part in talks with Mr Paterson in Westminster on Monday afternoon.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokeswoman said the meeting would allow Mr Paterson to get an update on testing results and find out more about what businesses are doing to restore consumer confidence.A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokeswoman said the meeting would allow Mr Paterson to get an update on testing results and find out more about what businesses are doing to restore consumer confidence.
On Sunday, speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Mr Walker said the "problem really lies" with councils buying food from the poorly supplied catering industry. On Sunday, speaking on the BBC's Andrew Marr Show, Iceland supermarket's chief executive, Malcolm Walker, said the "problem really lies" with councils buying food from the poorly supplied catering industry.
Retailers should not be blamed for the horsemeat crisis, Mr Walker added.Retailers should not be blamed for the horsemeat crisis, Mr Walker added.
His comments followed a call on Sunday from the boss of Waitrose for tighter meat testing controls.His comments followed a call on Sunday from the boss of Waitrose for tighter meat testing controls.
'Cheap food''Cheap food'
Iceland was among UK retailers, including Tesco, Asda, Lidl and Aldi, which withdrew products found to test positive for horse DNA.Iceland was among UK retailers, including Tesco, Asda, Lidl and Aldi, which withdrew products found to test positive for horse DNA.
After Iceland removed a line of quarter-pounder beefburgers last month, the north Wales-based firm said it "would be working closely with its suppliers" to ensure its products met "high standards of quality and integrity". After Iceland removed a line of quarter-pounder beefburgers last month, it said it "would be working closely with its suppliers" to ensure its products met "high standards of quality and integrity".
Mr Walker told the BBC supermarkets were already extremely transparent about food quality and testing.Mr Walker told the BBC supermarkets were already extremely transparent about food quality and testing.
"If we're going to blame somebody let's start with local authorities, because there's a whole side to this industry which is invisible - that's the catering industry. Schools, hospitals - it's massive business for cheap food and local authorities award contracts based purely on one thing - price," he said."If we're going to blame somebody let's start with local authorities, because there's a whole side to this industry which is invisible - that's the catering industry. Schools, hospitals - it's massive business for cheap food and local authorities award contracts based purely on one thing - price," he said.
He added: "Iceland has never sold economy products - we do not sell cheap food... we know where all our food comes from, we follow the supply chain right the way through and it's very short."He added: "Iceland has never sold economy products - we do not sell cheap food... we know where all our food comes from, we follow the supply chain right the way through and it's very short."
Supermarkets were not the real culprits in "driving down food quality", he said.Supermarkets were not the real culprits in "driving down food quality", he said.
"Dodgy cutting houses and backstreet manufacturers have been supplying products to the catering industry and a lot of that is bought by local authorities for schools and hospitals - that's where the problem really lies," he added."Dodgy cutting houses and backstreet manufacturers have been supplying products to the catering industry and a lot of that is bought by local authorities for schools and hospitals - that's where the problem really lies," he added.
Merrick Cockell, chairman of the LGA, said the relationship between a council and a caterer was the same as that between a retailer and a consumer.Merrick Cockell, chairman of the LGA, said the relationship between a council and a caterer was the same as that between a retailer and a consumer.
"We have a contract with that retailer to provide us with what it says on the wrapper and that is exactly the same with local government providing contracts for school meals or, indeed, the NHS with hospitals."We have a contract with that retailer to provide us with what it says on the wrapper and that is exactly the same with local government providing contracts for school meals or, indeed, the NHS with hospitals.
"Clearly in some cases, relatively few cases, that has not been happening and actually for the boss of Iceland to appear and make that suggestion... well I hope he knows more about what's actually going on in retailing than he clearly does in contracting and local government.""Clearly in some cases, relatively few cases, that has not been happening and actually for the boss of Iceland to appear and make that suggestion... well I hope he knows more about what's actually going on in retailing than he clearly does in contracting and local government."
A Local Authorities Caterers Association spokeswoman said it was "disappointed" with Mr Walker's remarks.A Local Authorities Caterers Association spokeswoman said it was "disappointed" with Mr Walker's remarks.
"Local authorities across the country have been totally supportive of driving food standards up in schools over the last few years," she told BBC News."Local authorities across the country have been totally supportive of driving food standards up in schools over the last few years," she told BBC News.