Prince Charles backs British meat

The message was conveyed at a barbeque held last week for staff of foreign embassies, organised to showcase the UK’s beef, pork and lamb.

Exports of sheep meat now represent 36% of UK production and are worth £357.1 million to our economy. For beef, exports have grown to 16% of UK production, with a value of £388.9 million. This is from a standing start of zero when exports of beef fully resumed in 2006.

In a letter read out at the event, Prince Charles said: “Our climate and geography produce some of the best grassland, coupled with our high standards of animal welfare, means we have a product of unrivalled quality, tenderness and taste.

“We are also able to boast robust assurance schemes, meaning that there is full traceability within the meat supply chain. The last few months have thrown into sharp relief just how crucially important this is for retailers and, ultimately, for customers.

“Every steak, every leg of lamb, every pork chop is the product of skills passed down through generations of farmers who, by their skill and industry, have created one of the most beautiful and iconic landscapes in the world.”

Staff from 12 embassies, as well as Food and Farming Minister David Heath and other MPs, dined on a selection of beef, lamb and pork dishes.

Nick Allen, EBLEX, the organisation for beef and lamb levy payers in England, welcomed the Prince’s “encouraging” message of support.

“Securing new export markets continues to be one of EBLEX’s key strategies for beef and lamb,” said Nick Allen, EBLEXsector director.

“It is vital to a healthy global market, with cuts matched to where the markets are and production maximised where it is most efficient and sustainable. It also helps underpin the domestic beef cattle and sheep prices.

“Our successful barbecue event proved popular with both key embassy staff and parliamentarians and also provided us with the ideal opportunity to build on the positives we have already achieved in terms of developing export opportunities.”

Since August 2010 EBLEX, has helped open more than 60 new non-EU export markets for beef and sheep meat alone.