Blair told industry unity is essential Retailers have warned the prime minister they will not back the vaccination of animals in areas affected by foot and mouth if he fails to win the full support of farmers and food manufacturers. Although no final decision about vaccination had been made as The Grocer went to press on Thursday, industry leaders were saying a lack of industry unity would undermine public confidence in British meat and dairy products. Tony Blair consulted leaders of the main supermarket chains, the Food and Drink Federation and the dairy industry at Chequers before Easter. After the meeting, the retailers wrote to him stating the conditions under which they would support vaccination. The letter was drafted by Bill Moyes, director general of the British Retail Consortium. who was at the meeting. In the letter ­ a copy of which has been seen by The Grocer ­ Moyes makes it clear that public confidence would have to be maintained if vaccination went ahead. "If that were to evaporate and customers were to demand the separate identification of milk from vaccinated cattle, ultimately retailers would have to respond. In these circumstances, it is likely that retailers would wish to stock milk and dairy products only from unvaccinated herds. To do otherwise would risk undermining confidence in the British dairy industry." The letter also says that public confidence would be damaged if there were "major inconsistencies" in statements from government, farmers, food manufacturers and retailers. But even as the letter was being sent, the FDF issued a strong warning against vaccination, saying it would destroy Britain's export business. "Vaccination risks prolonging export restrictions and increasing losses further, and the government must take this into account," it said. The Provision Trade Federation voiced similar concerns this week. And the NFU remained strongly opposed to vaccination. The big fear among retailers and manufacturers is that if products from vaccinated animals are deemed unacceptable in export markets, British consumers will start questioning their safety. This will inevitably erode confidence ­ despite this week's assurances from the Food Standards Agency that such products are perfectly safe. - See Opinion, page 14. {{NEWS }}