Demand In U.K. For Jugoslav Bull Beef

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30085, 20 March 1963, Page 7

Demand In U.K. For Jugoslav Bull Beef

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

LONDON, March 19. A craze for slimming resulting in a soaring demand for lean meat is costing the British Government millions of pounds, says the “Daily Express.” It is also threatening a transformation in farming. The most popular imported beef in shops now—even rivalling the best Scottish in price—comes from Jugoslavia, and most of it is from bulls. .Most of the famous roast beef of Old England has traditionally come from steers. Bull beef had been spurned as too dark and unpleasant in flavour. But since the war, the traditional sirloin—with its rich marbling and creamy surrounding fat—has lost favour. In the last three years there has been an

astonishing rise in the popularity of Jugoslav beef. Since 1960 imports have soared from 800 tons a year to 34,000 tons.

So much beef Is coming in now that the Government has asked Jugoslavia as well as the Argentine to moderate future shipments because the floor has been knocked out of market prices for home-pro-duced beef. This will add millions to the subsidies designed to give British farmers a fair price. The Ministry of Agriculture has agreed to co-operate with the National Farmers’ Union in rearing an experimental batch of 500 young bulls for beef in Britain. So far it has been impossible to rear bulls in this way in Britain because by law only breeding animals could be kept beyond 10 months.