NBA points to more discounts as proof of income gap

MORE DISCOUNTING by supermarkets has again confirmed the gap between the cost of turning out top grade cattle and the low returns from the market that is already threatening beef production across the UK, the National Beef Association (NBA) has claimed.

NBA chairman, Duff Burrell, said: "In four weeks over February there was a 3.5 per cent drop in the overall average price of all lean mince streams sold in Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury and Morrisons and a 7.5 per cent plunge in the value of rump steak. The NBA said these retail tactics were self destructive they undermined the supermarkets' only secure source of fresh beef.

A Tesco spokesperson said: "The reduction in retail price being offered to our customers on some beef products is paid for by Tesco. This is a huge price investment which actually helps British growers by promoting beef and driving up the volume of meat sold."

A Morrisons spokesperson said: "The retail market is very competitive; we have to respond to price promotions within other supermarkets. Morrisons will always offer producers a fair market price. 95 per cent of the fresh Beef we sell is British and we slaughter our own cattle in our own British abattoirs, unlike any other supermarket."

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