'No threat' to supermarket supplies

Supermarkets have seen no evidence of panic buying

Supermarkets are reassuring customers that meat supplies will not be affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak.

The large stores say they are not anticipating any shortages of meat but are in talks with meat importers as a safeguard in case the seven-day ban on livestock movement is extended.

But plentiful supplies will depend to a large extent on people continuing to avoid panic buying.

A spokesman for Sainsbury's said customers had so far been sensible, with no incidents of stockpiling.

"We have got plenty of British meat stock still around but we will be talking to suppliers and we will be looking to import meat if necessary," he said.

...Our buyers are absolutely working around the clock to make sure that we secure supplies

Asda

Asda noticed increased sales of chicken and poultry over the weekend, but also said no-one was panic buying.

A spokeswoman for the supermarket chain said: "We are confident that as long as customers stick to normal buying patters, that we have secured supplies certainly to see us through the rest of this week.

"This is a developing situation and our buyers are absolutely working around the clock to make sure that we secure supplies.

"We are looking at importing beef from Ireland and lamb from New Zealand to make sure that we can continue to supply our customers normally."

Tesco said it had stocks for the "foreseeable future" but it would be keeping the situation under review.

It confirmed it is looking for alternative pork suppliers in the Republic of Ireland.

A spokesman for the Meat and Livestock Commission, which promotes British meat, said: "We had a look at the end of last week and the meat supplies are certainly adequate to last at the moment without any bother.

"Obviously supplies will diminish as time goes on but certainly there is enough to cover the seven-day movement ban."