September 21, 2007

Britain ponders meat premium as cheaper imports loom

An increase in the price of UK meat could see butchers begin to look at imports, according to an article in the Meat Trades Journal.

Price rises could put domestic product at a disadvantage, said Roger Kelsey, president of the London Retail Meat Traders Association. He told MTJ that the independent butchering trade had always been supportive of 'British' because of husbandry standards and quality, and have been happy to pay a premium.

"But there is a feeling within the trade that the importers are raising their game and that is leading people to question whether it is worth paying that premium for British," said Mr Kelsey.

He added that the food-service sector was heavily dominated by imported meat and consumers were happy to eat it.

However, National Federation of Meat and Food Traders technical manager Richard Stevenson is quoted as saying butchers will continue to support the British farmers.

The majority of our members prefer -- on quality and any other grounds you can think of -- to sell British meat and support local suppliers."