Here at Tor to Tor, we KNOW where OUR MEAT is coming from. A recent survey by the BBC found widespread misrepresentation regarding the origin of so called "local meat" ...
FOREIGN BEEF IS BEING SOLD AS LOCAL PRODUCE
Western Morning News, May 2nd 2008
Some beef being sold in Westcountry pubs and restaurants and labelled LOCAL is not even BRITISH, an investigation has found.
DNA samples of meat sold at 40 outlets across the South West has found that one in five was FOREIGN.
Eight samples out of 40 were traced to cattle found exclusively ABROAD. Out of those eight, three came from Devon.
Jilly Greed, who represents the National Beef Association in South West England, said “It’s a great big con.”
The findings, which came as a result of a BBC investigation, have led to calls for consumer legislation covering pubs and restaurants to be tightened up.
At the moment it is entirely legal for a pub or restaurant to label foreign beef as British or Local as long as it was processed in the UK.
The Food Standards Agency said it was disappointed by the findings and called for labelling laws to be clarified.
The BBC sent away samples from pubs and restaurants from across the South West region including Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset for DNA analysis.
Scientists in Dublin found that eight of the samples had the DNA of exotic cattle that only exist in South America and Africa; humped zebu cattle.
Referring to one of the samples, Dr Ciaran Meghan said; “The meat may well have originated from BRAZIL or BOTSWANA; it’s definitely NOT LOCAL.”
Farmers fear the findings prove their long-held belief that some parts of the hospitality industry are CASHING IN on the surge in demand for local produce which can be sold at a premium.
Ms Greed, who owns a farm in Exeter, told the WMN; “IT’S EXPLOITATION OF THE CONSUMER.” People are buying something they believe to be local and actually it has come from the other side of the world. The problem is disreputable wholesalers and hospitality outlets that are being economic with the truth. However, this does give us an opportunity to differentiate between good outlets that promote local produce and the bad ones which don’t.
If people are not sure where their beef comes from they should ask the manager which farm is providing the beef.”
Sarah Appleby, head of the imported food division at the Food Standards Agency said; “The labelling regulations are really complicated, especially for pre-packed and pre-prepared food. And I think this is an area where perhaps we could provide some more information to consumers to help them make the choices that they want to.”