Welsh anger over Brazilian beef

The Farmers‘ Union of Wales is claiming a partial victory in a clash with the Somerfield supermarket chain over imported beef.

A delegation led by Emyr Jones, deputy president of the Farmers Union of Wales, held talks with the manager of the company’s newly opened store at Bala in Meirioneth.

The meeting followed complaints about a special promotion using cheap Brazilian beef.

Mr Jones – a top Welsh Black cattle breeder – said he shared the concern of fellow farmers and members of the public.

Some angry beef producers might picket the store unless the beef was removed from the chiller cabinet, he warned.

“Agriculture is the dominant industry in this area and I believe that the majority of the shop’s customers have a connection with farming in one way or another.

“Whereas Welsh and British beef have the benefit of full traceability and high production standards, the same is not true of imports from Brazil.”

Somerfield’s HQ in Bristol had agreed to meet FUW leaders to discuss the procurement of Welsh beef and lamb for it shops west of Offa’s Dyke, said a union spokesman.

“Somerfield pointed out that the UK is not self-sufficient in beef, and claimed it had encountered some continuity problems obtaining supplies of identifiable Welsh meat.”

Regrettably, it seemed that the Brazilian beef promotion would run its course, said the spokesman.

But the offer to talk to the FUW and the Welsh Meat Company was a significant achievement that could see more consumers having access to branded Welsh products.