Supermarkets including Morrisons, Asda and Sainsbury’s are facing mounting criticism from farmers and campaigners after expanding their ranges of imported meat, amid claims the move undermines British agriculture and high welfare standards.

According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), Morrisons has begun stocking Polish chicken on its shelves, a decision that marks a shift away from its pledge to support British-only meat.

While Polish chicken is cheaper to produce, it is typically reared at higher densities than in the UK. Morrisons’ British poultry, for example, is raised at a maximum density of 30kg/m², while Polish standards allow up to 39kg/m².

It is understood the retailer has also introduced Australian sirloin steak, a move the NFU says was made possible by the UK’s controversial post-Brexit trade agreement with Australia.

The NFU says Australian beef production standards differ from those in the UK, with widespread use of feedlots and a lower animal welfare rating, according to the RSPCA in Australia.

The shift comes despite Morrisons’ ongoing sponsorship of TV show Clarkson’s Farm and public messaging around its support for British producers.

Speaking to The Guardian, Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Tim Farron called the move “appalling”, accusing the supermarket of “undermining British farmers and its own brand”.

It is not first time Morrisons has faced backlash on its decision to choose non-British meat suppliers. Last year, the supermarket chain dropped its 2017 pledge to only source British lamb as part of a new trial to begin selling New Zealand lamb in 39 stores.

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However, Morrisons is also not alone in its shift from British meat. It is understood other grocery retailers have also begun offering imported red meat at lower prices.

Asda, for example, is selling Uruguayan sirloin and ribeye steaks at £21.94/kg and £23.70/kg respectively, about 20% cheaper than their UK-sourced counterparts. UK sirloin from Asda is priced at £27.93/kg, with ribeye at £28.81/kg.

“As a British farmer under enormous pressure, I’m shocked to see retailers choosing this moment to switch to foreign meat,” said Hertfordshire farmer Stuart Roberts to the publication. “There is no excuse for this betrayal of UK producers.”

Meanwhile, Sainsbury’s has also come under scrutiny for stocking wagyu beef from New Zealand, although it insists this makes up just 0.1% of its beef range and is clearly labelled. The retailers have defended the decision as a way to offer value to customers amid soaring red meat prices.

NFU livestock board chair David Barton warned the shift toward imports could damage long-standing retailer-supplier relationships. “Decisions to renege on sourcing commitments erode trust and damage farmer confidence,” he said. “British farmers have invested in higher standards, but that comes at a cost.

“Without firm, long-term support from retailers, we risk undermining the very food security the public expects.”

In response, a Morrisons spokesperson said: “We remain 100% British on all our meat counters. Alongside our New Zealand lamb, we are trialling imported meat from trusted suppliers in aisles to help us offer outstanding value and navigate seasonal and supply challenges.”

Meanwhile, Asda stressed that the Grass & Grill range is “a limited-time branded product” and that all its own-label fresh beef continues to be sourced from the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Sainsbury’s added that it was committed to UK sourcing and that all suppliers are held to the same quality standards regardless of origin. “The vast majority of our beef is British or Irish,” a spokesperson said.