You may or may not have noticed where the beef you purchase comes from. More than likely it is British. But what makes British beef different from the imported kind? In this article, we take a deep look into why you always should buy British beef and what that means for British farmers, the economy and the environment.
Britain has some of the highest welfare standards of beef livestock in the world. The use of growth hormones and steroids is banned in the UK and each animal is 100% traceable through the British Cattle Tracing System (CTA). Beef cattle are raised and treated with high levels of hygiene care and welfare. For instance, cattle are grass-fed to produce tastier meat. British beef has such high welfare standards that it is often exported and sold in other countries around the world which includes but is not limited to Ireland, France, Germany and The Netherlands.
When you buy British beef, you are supporting British farmers and their families as well as helping to keep the rural economy and small communities alive. In recent times, most British farmers have faced many difficult challenges such as COVID-19, rising costs and post-Brexit changes to name a few. Some British farmers are small-scale farmers, therefore they rely on the sale of their beef cattle to make a decent living. These challenges have led to a decline in British farming. Without British farmers, there will be a major decline in the supply of locally-sourced beef and high demands will cause beef prices to skyrocket.
Not only is buying British meat better for the economy, it is also better for the environment. According to the Red Tractor, it is estimated that half the carbon footprint of beef in the UK is half the global average. British farmers are committed to working hard and farming in the most sustainable way. The distance between each beef farm and the retailer is far shorter than the distance travelled by imported beef. This means locally-sourced beef is fresher for resale and it is more sustainable as it reduces the carbon footprint of meat producers.
Last but not least, British beef is simply nutritious and delicious! Whether you are looking to cook a roast dinner or make a dish of lasagne, beef is one of most popular meats eaten among Brits. Beef is naturally rich in protein for repair, vitamins such as vitamin B6 and vitamin B12 and minerals such as iron, zinc and potassium to support a healthy lifestyle and well-being.
The bottom line is when it comes to beef, British is best. So, next time you’re purchasing beef from a wholesale meat supplier, make sure to choose British beef with the Red Tractor label. This label means the wholesale meat has been responsibly sourced from British farms, safely produced and comes from British livestock with high standards of care and welfare.
At HP Westwood, we are proud to say our range of British wholesale meats including beef, pork and lamb is fully assured by the Red Tractor and the RSPCA. This means when you order beef from us, you are guaranteed that our meat products meet the standards and are handled to the highest of quality. For more information on our beef products, please get in touch with us.