Farming leaders say the measures required to bring the UK beef industry “back from the brink” rely on supermarkets, meat processors and the food service sector stimulating demand and guaranteeing transparency by putting the country of origin on their labels.
The presidents of the Scottish, English, Welsh and Ulster farmers’ unions met in crisis talks at the Royal Welsh show at Llanelwedd as the beef industry struggles with a long period of depressed prices, and their short-term solution was an appeal to retailers to step up the promotion of UK-produced beef which is safe, high quality and fully traceable.
They insisted urgent and collaborative action across the entire supply chain was necessary and said the downward pressure on farm gate prices could not be allowed to continue.
They said: “While we accept this is a complex situation and there are a number of factors affecting this drop in price, beef farmers cannot continue to sustain this decrease any longer.
“Let’s be absolutely clear – the sustainability of UK beef production is at stake here.”
The leaders acknowledged support from some UK retailers – notably the Co-op, Morrisons, Waitrose, M&S, Lidl and Aldi – in selling 100% fresh British beef. However, the presidents said “very significant” potential exists because Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Iceland represent 59.6% of the grocery market.
The summit resulted in a five-point plan which includes the need for UK levy bodies to raise awareness around the values behind UK beef production and to support the export, retail and food service sectors to deliver on new opportunities, including the recently-opened Chinese market.
Governments have been asked to review their public procurement commitments and to assess the impact on the UK beef market of the ¤100 million cash boost provided to Irish beef farmers.