Horsemeat scandal helps Peak butchers
Mac Burnham.
Business is booming for High Peak butchers following the horsemeat scandal.
A number of traditional local butchers say they have seen a surge in trade since the crisis hit the headlines earlier this month.
Several supermarkets have been forced to withdraw burgers and readymade lasagne and bolognese products after they were found to contain horseflesh.
Butcher Mac Burnham, who owns shops in Buxton and Chapel-en-le-Frith, said: “Since all this came to light we’ve definitely seen new faces coming through the doors.
“A lot of customers have been asking if we’ve got full traceability on our products – and we have.”
The owner of JW Mettrick and Son butchers in Glossop echoed Mr Burnham’s comments.
John Mettrick said: “We’ve seen a 30 per cent increase in burger sales and a doubling of mince sales.
“After a rather flat January this has been a very welcome boost.”
Donna Tavernor, rural advisor for the Midlands branch of the Country Land and Business Association, said the horsemeat scandal was “shocking” and urged people to buy locally-made produce.
On the Buxton Advertiser’s Facebook page, Elaine Jones said: “I buy meat from the local butchers.
“We must remember that some families can’t afford to buy from them,” she added.
On Twitter, Deborah Ramsdale said: “I’ve always used the local butchers.”
Findus withdrew its beef lasagne from sale after tests found it to contain up to 100 per cent horsemeat.
Education chiefs have moved to reassure High Peak parents that their children’s school meals do not contain horsemeat.
Derbyshire County Council said its school meals are cooked using meat produced on two local organic farms.
Environment secretary Owen Paterson said it was “outrageous that consumers had been misled by what appears to be deliberate fraud”.
He added it appeared “criminal activity” had been at the heart of the scandal.
• Have you been buying more from your local butchers in light of the ongoing horsemeat crisis? Email news@buxtonadvertiser.co.uk.
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Saturday 18 May 2013
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