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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Foreign beef 'is sold as British' | Foreign beef 'is sold as British' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A significant amount of beef sold in pubs and restaurants as "local" or "British" actually comes from abroad, a BBC investigation has found. | A significant amount of beef sold in pubs and restaurants as "local" or "British" actually comes from abroad, a BBC investigation has found. |
| DNA testing at 40 food outlets revealed 20% of samples taken from such labelled beef in south-west England was foreign. | DNA testing at 40 food outlets revealed 20% of samples taken from such labelled beef in south-west England was foreign. |
| Farmers said the findings proved consumer legislation covering pubs and restaurants needed to be tightened up. | Farmers said the findings proved consumer legislation covering pubs and restaurants needed to be tightened up. |
| The Food Standards Agency said it was disappointed by the findings and called for labelling laws to be clarified. | The Food Standards Agency said it was disappointed by the findings and called for labelling laws to be clarified. |
| During the undercover investigation, the BBC secretly took samples of beef from 40 pubs or restaurants and sent it off for DNA-analysis. | During the undercover investigation, the BBC secretly took samples of beef from 40 pubs or restaurants and sent it off for DNA-analysis. |
| Scientists at Dublin-based DNA specialists Identigen found that eight of the samples had the DNA of exotic cattle that only exist in South America and Africa - humped zebu cattle. | Scientists at Dublin-based DNA specialists Identigen found that eight of the samples had the DNA of exotic cattle that only exist in South America and Africa - humped zebu cattle. |
| It's pure exploitation of consumer demand for real local food - and until there's a properly audited trail through the hospitality industry, the situation is only going to get worse Jilly GreedNational Beef Association Referring to one of the samples, Dr Ciaran Meghen said: "The meat may well have originated from Brazil or Botswana - it's definitely not local." | |
| Farmers fear the findings prove their long-held belief that some parts of the hospitality industry are cashing in on the surge in demand for local produce, which can be sold at a premium. | Farmers fear the findings prove their long-held belief that some parts of the hospitality industry are cashing in on the surge in demand for local produce, which can be sold at a premium. |
| They claim consumers do not realise when they are being served poor-quality meat from parts of the world with lower standards of animal welfare and hygiene. | They claim consumers do not realise when they are being served poor-quality meat from parts of the world with lower standards of animal welfare and hygiene. |
| They want restaurants to prove where meat has come from in the same way butchers have to do with raw meat. | They want restaurants to prove where meat has come from in the same way butchers have to do with raw meat. |
| Legal definition | Legal definition |
| Jilly Greed, who represents the National Beef Association in south-west England, said: "It's a great big con. | Jilly Greed, who represents the National Beef Association in south-west England, said: "It's a great big con. |
| "It's pure exploitation of consumer demand for real local food - and until there's a properly audited trail through the hospitality industry, the situation is only going to get worse." | "It's pure exploitation of consumer demand for real local food - and until there's a properly audited trail through the hospitality industry, the situation is only going to get worse." |
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| Fifth of 'British' beef foreign | |
| Trading standards officers said that, although the BBC's investigation was carried out in south-west England, they believed the situation was not unique to the area and said there needed to be a new legal definition of what "local" really meant. | Trading standards officers said that, although the BBC's investigation was carried out in south-west England, they believed the situation was not unique to the area and said there needed to be a new legal definition of what "local" really meant. |
| The government told the BBC it had not been aware that foreign beef was being passed off as British or local in food outlets. | The government told the BBC it had not been aware that foreign beef was being passed off as British or local in food outlets. |
| Very few businesses have ever been prosecuted over the issue. | Very few businesses have ever been prosecuted over the issue. |
| But the Food Standards Agency said it was disappointed with the BBC's findings and that the law did need to be re-examined. | But the Food Standards Agency said it was disappointed with the BBC's findings and that the law did need to be re-examined. |
| Sarah Appleby, head of the imported food division at the watchdog, said: "The labelling regulations are really complicated, especially for pre-packed and pre-prepared food. | Sarah Appleby, head of the imported food division at the watchdog, said: "The labelling regulations are really complicated, especially for pre-packed and pre-prepared food. |
| "And I think this is an area where perhaps we could provide some more information to consumers to help them make the choices that they want to." | "And I think this is an area where perhaps we could provide some more information to consumers to help them make the choices that they want to." |