British retailers say they are not planning to rush to fill their shelves with meat from Down Under following the start of the UK’s trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand on June 1.

The Scottish Farmer asked all major retailers if cheap and easier access would alter their purchasing policy for beef and lamb from the Commonwealth countries. But, the UK’s biggest grocery retailer, Tesco, told us all its fresh beef was sourced from UK or Ireland and it 'had no plans' to source any red meat from Australia.

The supermarket only sells British lamb in its Finest range but does source from New Zealand, which it said was needed to ensure the right availability for customers throughout the year. Around 100 Scottish beef farmers are part of the Tesco Sustainable Beef Group and there is also a Sustainable Farming Group for Scottish Lamb producers.

ASDA told us that it currently had no plans to increase the amount of beef and lamb from Australia and New Zealand countries, whilst Morrisons explained that that when it came to fresh meat, it remained committed to only selling British options.

Sainsburys said it would only sell beef from Britain or Ireland and its Taste the Difference lamb was all Welsh. However, it did source both British and New Zealand lamb for its core lamb range which, it said was needed to meet customer demand, particularly around Easter time. The retailer also confirmed it do not stock any meat from Australia.

An M&S spokeswoman said: “We are proud that all our quality beef, fresh lamb, Oakham Gold chicken and fresh milk sold in Scottish stores is only sourced from our Scottish Select farms that we know and trust.”

Other major supermarkets were also asked if the new trade deal would alter their buying policy, but had not responded.