The issues with carcase balance experienced by the beef industry at the start of the coronavirus crisis have improved significantly, the chief executive of the British Meat Processors’ Association told MPs at Westminster this week.

In a briefing session for members of the environment, food and rural affairs (EFRA) committee, Nick Allen said that work to promote steak cuts by retailers and processors, supported by levy boards in Britain, had helped move product normally destined for foodservice.

“Beef is much better placed than it was two or three weeks ago. Steak sales (in retailers) last week were up 20% on the same week last year,” said Allen.

He added that the lack of carcase balance in sales of beef by UK retailers (overly reliant on mince) has been an issue for some time, and he hoped that the pandemic has brought a better understanding of the market and the need to get value back down the supply chain.

“I would like to think some good will come of this, because the industry wasn’t in good shape” Allen told MPs.

Social distancing

During the session, Allen was asked about social distancing among workers in meat plants. He maintained that it was being implemented where practically possible, but acknowledged that in certain parts of a factory it is “very difficult to do”.

He told MPs that factories were quick to put in place protocols to protect workers, with the lead on that taken by factories in NI. The protocol has since been rolled out across the UK.

However, he was critical of the lack of clarity and slow nature of advice from public health bodies on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers.

Heroes

Also giving evidence was Ian Wright, chief executive of the UK Food and Drink Federation, who described 500,000 food industry workers across the UK as “hidden heroes”.

But, he emphasised that the crisis was far from over either in the UK or further afield, giving the example of the lockdown in India which could impact the future supply of rice.

Closer to home, with up to 70,000 seasonal workers required to pick the UK fruit and veg harvest, he said he had big concerns about a reported 14-day quarantine period being introduced for anyone coming into the UK.

Both Wright and Allen said they hoped everyone, right up to senior government ministers, now realise the importance of food security. “If you can’t feed a country, you don’t have a country” said Wright.

Read more

NI meat plants on COVID-19 alert

UK retailers commit to promoting steaks to boost sales