Supermarkets nationwide have started to offer West Country beef and lamb bearing the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) banner.
PGI-marked product is now being stocked by retailers such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose. Criteria required for West Country PGI status includes lamb and beef, that is at least 70 per cent forage fed and coming from stock born, raised and finished in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset or Wiltshire.
The PGI for beef and lamb from the West Country was gained after years of hard work behind the scenes by Meat South West (MSW) and other organisations.
Peter Baber, chairman of Meat South West, said: “I’m delighted that some of the nation’s major multiples have come on board on board to sell West Country beef and lamb. It’s taken us many years of hard work to secure the PGI status and is very encouraging to see major retailers recognise the fine product our region has to offer.”
MSW is a strategic advisory body which liaises with the industry and government on the priorities and needs of a profitable and productive regional meat and livestock sector. The board represents the whole supply chain, from farm to fork, and is committed to the success of the sector.
