Reluctance in Britain to change beef supply

MAJOR British retailers have told Bord Bia they are reluctant to change from their current supply of beef, from cattle born, reared and slaughtered in Britain, or from cattle born, reared and slaughtered in Ireland.

When Bord Bia raised the subject of beef from Irish-born animals finished and slaughtered in Britain, representatives of the supermarkets said such a change could be confusing or misleading for their consumers, because of EU labelling constraints and the public debate on mislabelling in Britain.

The response reveals difficulties for those aiming to increase Irish live exports to the British mainland. Bord Bia got a more favourable response from small or medium-sized British abattoirs, which slaughter 30% of the cattle in Britain and mainly supply beef to retail butchers, food service and manufacturing channels.