January 13, 2009
UK's Asda raises beef cattle age limit to 36 months
Asda, a giant UK supermarket, has increased the age limit for beef cattle going into its standard beef range to 36 months old.
Asda's previous limit was 30 months old. The new age limit, which is back to pre-1996 levels, will come into immediate effect, said agricultural development manager Pearce Hughes.
This move will make the rearing of dairy bull calves into large steers a viable and attractive option again, reducing the number of dairy calves being disposed of at birth, said Hughes.
Asda's decision follows the recent Food Standards Agency announcement to raise BSE testing of cattle to 48 months. The supermarket and its supply chain partner Anglo Beef Processors, hope to increase the limit to 48 months after further quality trials.
