Promoting Beef Week on UFU beef and lamb committee member Trevor Somerville’s farm in Dungannon, Co. Tyrone. (L-R) Janice Gibson Asda, Colin Smith LMC, Trevor Somerville UFU and Keith Williamson ABP Linden.
Beef farming contributes over £603 million to the Northern Ireland economy each year, and this Beef Week, running from 23 – 30 April, the Ulster Farmers’ Union is bringing consumers behind the farm gate to strengthen their connection with where their beef comes from.
UFU president David Brown said, “Through a range of different media formats from videos to articles, the UFU is inviting consumers to get up close and personal with our farmers, and experience life on a beef farm this Beef Week. Farmers across Northern Ireland produce safe, nutritious, climate friendly beef that supports a vibrant ecosystem and thriving rural economy, but it is important that we recognise the farm families behind the products and the daily work that is being done benefiting everyone in society.
“We are extremely lucky in this country to be able to go instore and chose from a variety of locally produced beef, and other produce, whenever and wherever we need it. However, when you consider the many people who are not connected to farms and do not recognise the work ethic and resilience that is essential to sustain a farm business through unpredictable weather events and input prices among other uncontrollable elements, it stresses the need to create a personal connection through initiatives such as Beef Week. We hope that by creating more transparency for people who are not from rural communities, it will help consumers to value local produce and encourage them to choose Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured Beef when buying, and also to consider their choices when eating out.”
Mr Brown is taking part in a quick fire and answer session, Gemma McCorry is featuring in the UFU women in agriculture profile and a UFU Next Generation member will be conducting an Instagram beef takeover later in the week. UFU policy officer and beef and lamb farmer Kellie Rouse, will also be breaking down the Carbon Reduction Scheme for consumers to explain how farmers are doing more to tackle emissions on farm.
The UFU is also working alongside LMC to promote Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured beef and members will be participating at a Retail sampling event at Asda, Antrim, on Friday 26 April, and Asda Portadown, Saturday 27 April.
Livestock and Meat Commission chief executive, Colin Smith said, “Beef farming is at the heart of agriculture in Northern Ireland. The sector is a significant economic contributor and acts as a core provider of employment. Over the course of NI Beef Week, LMC will lead an array of activity to celebrate and promote the beef sector.
“The journey of Northern Ireland Farm Quality Assured (NIFQA) beef starts on farm. We have thousands of NIFQA beef farmers who are wholly committed to producing wholesome, sustainable red meat for consumers to enjoy. It is thanks to their unwavering commitment that we can with confidence claim that NIFQA beef is among the most sustainable in the world, meeting world leading standards for food safety, animal welfare and care for the environment.
“During NI Beef Week, LMC will bring into focus the journey NIFQA beef goes on from farm to fork and we are thankful for the support of UFU, ABP and Asda in doing so. Consumers are invited to join us at Asda Antrim on Friday 26 April and Asda Portadown on Saturday 27 April, from 11.30am each day for retail sampling events. LMC cookery demonstrators will be preparing and cooking delicious beef dishes, with samples available for those in attendance. To keep an eye on what we get up to throughout the week search for us on socials; Facebook, LivestockandMeatCommissionNI and BeefandLambNorthernIreland, Instagram, beefandlamb.ni and X, @LMCNI.”
