August 1, 2007

UK group says increase in beef & lamb prices necessary to avoid global shortage

British beef group National Beef Association (NBA) said consumers and governments worldwide should prep up for the increase in global meat prices and that the days of cheap meat is receding.

The NBA the rapidly growing world population as well as the rising prosperity in China, India and South America will pressure demand on food resources.

Kim Haywood, director of the NBA, said people should be aware of the shrinking global meat supplies and UK's reduction on livestock production might add more injury to in the apparent sinking of meat sources.

Haywood said struggling beef farmers will be forced to throw in the towel unless they can see enough income encouragement to persuade them to stay in business. The NBA chief said governments should not be complacent of having beef supplies still ample because a five-year earlier forecast said there would not be enough surplus beef to supply to EU, let alone consumers on emerging "economic hotspots".