Welsh restaurants found to be mis-selling lamb

- Published: 20 August, 2010

A trading standards investigation has found that lamb is being passed off as Welsh by 50% of eating out venues in North Wales.

Research unearthed the fact that, out of 244 restaurants, pubs, take-aways and hotels, half were unable to say where products described as 'Welsh lamb' had come from.

Hybu Cig Cymru Meat Promotion Wales chairman Rees Roberts commented: "While imitation can be the sincerest form of flattery, it's deeply disappointing that some restaurants have been caught passing off other lamb brands as Welsh. It's important that if it says Welsh lamb on the menu, it is Welsh lamb on the plate."

Farmers' Union of Wales president Gareth Vaughan said: "The FUW has worked hard to promote home-grown produce. So it is galling to think that some businesses in Wales have been routinely deceiving their customers."

Welsh lamb has Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status, a designation it shares with other food products, including Champagne and Welsh beef.

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