TESCO has been strongly criticised for heavily promoting New Zealand lamb when British lamb is in abundance and at its best.

Meurig Raymond, NFU president, accused the supermarket of going back on chief executive Philip Clarke’s commitment at last year’s NFU conference that Tesco should be the best supporter of British farmers and wished to shorten its supply chain.

The NFU wrote to all supermarkets last week to highlight that British grass-fed, spring-born lamb is now in peak season while southern hemisphere lamb, born around a year ago, is currently at the end of its season.

Mr Raymond attacked Tesco’s statement that the large demand for lamb meant it could not always guarantee consistent UK stock.

“I find this comment almost as ridiculous as last September’s statement from Tesco that British lamb was ‘not in season at the moment in the UK’,” he said.

“I am angry and disappointed that this comes only 18 months after giving such positive undertakings on its sourcing for red meat.

“The figures speak for themselves.

The UK was self-sufficient in lamb last year and lamb numbers are even higher this year. We have more than enough lamb available.

“Why promote end of season product, which many view as inferior, over Red Tractor assured, fresh lamb produced in the fields, valleys and hills of England and Wales?”

However, Tesco has said it sells more British lamb than any other retailer and expects to sell more this year. It is understood it will stage a half price British lamb promotion in the coming weeks.