Asda lamb deal secures future for Welsh abattoir

The future of a Welsh lamb abattoir has been assured by a new contract to supply Asda with meat for its “Extra Special” range.

Anglesey-based Welsh Country Foods is supplying Britain’s number two supermarket chain with a new range of loin chops, chump steak and leg steaks from carcasses that have matured for two weeks.

A spokesman for WCF said the deal made it easier to reward farmers for hitting quality specifications with a premium worth up to £1 a lamb.

“Up to now all our lamb has gone into standard packs.

But now we can demonstrate that it is going into the Extra Special range, farmers can see the fruits of their labour.”

The meat is traditionally cut by butchers and packaged with full traceability and a picture of a long-term lamb supplier to Asda – Jac Foulkes, who farms on Anglesey.

Chris Brown, agricultural development manager at the retailer, said lamb sales were growing and generated more than £1m a week.

“We want to reassure the farming community of our full commitment to the farmers who supply us with lamb, as well as our commitment to Welsh Country Foods and the Asda LambLink scheme.”

Welsh Country Foods site director Trevor Hanger said farmers were on tenterhooks with all the news of lamb abattoirs closing down.

“I make no bones about it, trading conditions are tough. But our supplying farmers can rest assured that Welsh Country Foods is fighting fit and up to the challenges facing the industry.”