West Country Beef bearing the Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) banner has been selected by Tesco to be used in its ‘Finest’ range.
The supermarket has decided to use the West Country PGI Beef in Finest Steak Pies at stores nationwide, made by Tamar Foods in Callington, Cornwall, with beef sourced from Two Sisters Foods in Bodmin.
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.
Gary Bound, purchasing manager for Tamar Foods, said: “We are delighted to be able to use PGI West Country Beef in this top tier product for our retailer customer. The recent awarding of PGI status has given us the opportunity to use high quality, regional beef which reduces food miles, secures employment locally and adds value to the regional economy.”
Peter Baber, chairman of MSW, said: “We worked incredibly hard to help secure the PGI for both West Country Beef and West Country Lamb. Tesco’s decision to use West Country Beef in its Finest steak and steak and ale pies is a direct result of those efforts.
“It is incredibly encouraging news for West Country produce. We are delighted with the outcome and the benefits that will bring to the region’s farmers and processors who can take advantage of the premium status given to the region’s beef and lamb now eligible to carry the PGI.”
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.
Further information about the West Country PGI can be found at www.westcountrybeefandlamb.org.uk
