Beef industry in Kildare facing uncertain times after British supermarket chain boycotts Irish meat

Beef farmers in Kildare face an uncertain future after one of Britain's leading supermarket chains decided to employ a 'British-only' beef campaign to halt imports from other countries, most notably Ireland.

The Co-op yesterday announced that they would stock just homegrown beef in preparation for Brexit, while also putting pressure on other supermarket chains to do the same. Ireland is the main exporter of beef to Britain, with the estimated value of the Irish beef industry's exports across the water coming in at €1.65 billion.

Kildare is one of Ireland's most prominent beef farming counties, and a closing on the exports to Britain would be catastrophic for the industry.

A spokesperson for the Irish Farmers' Association last night said; "Irish beef is supplied to numerous outlets in the UK based on long established relationships and a reputation for quality. The IFA is looking for this trading arrangement to continue into our most valuable market."

Jo Whitfield, retail chief executive of the Co-op, said: "Consumers will be shocked to see how meat imports have grown while at the same time retailers hang out the bunting and claim to back British farmers.

The Irish Independent carry quotes from a spokesperson for Bord Bia who stated that the Co-op does not import meat from Ireland, so it would have little impact on the Irish beef industry if the blockade were to happen on their behalf. If other supermarket chains were to stop importing Irish beef it would have massive consequences for the industry here.