Back our Butchers The Citizen's rallying call in wake of horse meat scandal
BUTCHERS across Gloucestershire are already reporting a spike in trade amid the horse meat scandal and have issued a rallying cry to back British.
An investigation is under way after frozen food firm Findus became the latest company embroiled in the row. Some of its 'beef' lasagnes were found to in fact contain 100 per cent horse meat.
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Back our butchers
And it's led to many of the county's farmers and butchers expecting customers to take a long hard look at where they buy their meat, to make sure they can be certain about where it has come from.
The Citizen is today urging customers to Back our butchers now, supporting local, traditional businesses.
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Farmer Steve Jones, from The Pludds in the Forest of Dean, who has 35 years of experience managing cattle herds, believes there is likely to be a shift in people's meat-buying mentality.
He said: "More and more people will start going back to their local butchers for their meat.
"People who get their meat from the supermarket don't know what they are eating.
"They should go to their butcher and ask where the meat comes from, if they don't get a straight answer, they should go to another butcher.
"I strongly believe our beef farmers should jump on this bandwagon and capitalise."
John Dyer, Over Farm's resident butcher, hopes the horse meat scandal will galvanise the buyers.
He said: "I hope people start to go back to their butchers. I have definitely sold more burgers this week than I normally do, so perhaps that tells you something.
"People are very inquisitive about their meat generally, they like to know where it all comes from."
Charles Mann, chairman of Gloucestershire's NFU branch has leant his backing too.
Writing on page 9 of today's Citizen, he said: "What can be done to restore confidence? While the politicians and FSA sort out the international mess, we at home can speak with our feet. Now is the moment to explore the opportunities provided by the local butchers' shops."
9 Comments
by griffin6
Tuesday, February 12 2013, 1:47PM
“Its only cheap supermarket processed meat that is a problem, I have used local butchers and my local one is not very good, they supply a local convenience store and it is cheap rubbish. I find the best meat is from the deli counters at Waitrose in Cheltenham (expensive) and Sainsburys Quays”
by dontyaknow
Monday, February 11 2013, 10:27PM
“I'm not even convinced that butchers are more expensive. Supermarkets inject water into chicken breasts for example, so it shrinks when cooked.
Never mind the miles it travels to end up on your plate and the animal welfare issues. Just how well do they treat horses in Romania?”
by Justica
Monday, February 11 2013, 4:04PM
“When it comes to beefburgers, if it saved HOURS by buying frozen ones, I could understand it. But only takes a bit if decent minced beef, onion, breadcrumbs, seasoning and egg to bind to make your own, 10 minutes flat. PS anyone remember Harrisons, Westgate Street ?”
by Lichlothe
Monday, February 11 2013, 12:51PM
“Try looking at http://tinyurl.com/dxrtzoc all of the meat that they sell is reared on thier land. You will also be surprised at how low some of meat prices are!!”
by yumtum20
Monday, February 11 2013, 12:16PM
“As a former master butcher i am amazed at the poor quality and lack of real choice you get in a supermarket these days. Next time you shop there, ask the meat department if they can prepare you a crown of lamb! See the expression on their face.....”
by happydays32
Monday, February 11 2013, 11:35AM
“But before I get slated I appreciate not everybody can afford that bit extra!”
by happydays32
Monday, February 11 2013, 11:33AM
“You get what you pay for, I'd rather pay a few extra quid to have a better quality and better tasting meat than what you get in the supermarkets!!”
by yeyornay
Monday, February 11 2013, 11:06AM
“Local butchers are more expensive but are 100 times better than your supermarket. Try Upton St leonards on the High Street!”
by GlosAnarchy
Monday, February 11 2013, 10:35AM
“Use local butchers why?
Oh yes that's it local shops are often cheaper than the supermache and the meat is most often hung properly!”