Chris Brown, Asda's agricultural strategy manager, said the deal would see thesupermarket"go back to its roots" by forming a direct relationship between the farmer and the store group which is also based in Leeds.
"Psychologically, it's just another blow for the beer drinker, the pub and the brewery and it's just another thing that might make people at the margins think 'it's too expensive togotothe pub, I'll just buy some alcohol from thesupermarket and take it home', " he added.