Shoppers support local meat

- Published: 30 January, 2007

The origin of meat sold in British shops is a far more important factor in customers' buying decisions than was previously thought said MLC chairman Peter Barr at today's MLC Outlook Conference.

The origin of meat sold in British shops is a far more important factor in customers' buying decisions than was previously thought.

Speaking to an audience of 150 members of the livestock and meat industry today MLC chairman Peter Barr said newly carried-out research had shown some surprising results.

He told the MLC Outlook Conference in London that previous work had shown only 11% of people believed the country of origin of their food to be important. But when the word "food" was replaced by the word "meat" the percentage of people who said country of origin was among the top five factors in making their buying decision rose to 30%.

The research also showed quality marks to be more than twice as important in choosing meat than in other food and while the number identifying the visual appearance of "food" as a buying factor was 37% the number who felt the appearance of meat important was 58%.

Barr said: "These results are not surprising. We have a great product, a robust home demand and shoppers who are predisposed to our meat."