Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) West Country Beef has been chosen by Tesco for use in its ‘Finest’ range.
The PGI beef, sourced from Two Sisters Foods in Bodmin, Cornwall, will fill Finest Steak Pies, made by Tamar Foods in Callington, also in Cornwall, for stores nationwide.
/>The West Country PGI status, which covers both lamb and beef, was obtained thanks to work done by strategic advisory body Meat South West (MSW) and other organisations.
Peter Baber, chairman of MSW, said: “We worked incredibly hard to help secure the PGI for both West Country Beef and West Country Lamb. Tesco’s decision to use West Country Beef in its Finest steak and steak and ale pies is a direct result of those efforts.
“It is incredibly promising news for West Country produce. We are delighted with the outcome and the benefits that will bring to the region’s farmers and processors, who can take advantage of the premium status given to the region’s beef and lamb now eligible to carry the PGI.”
To qualify for the protected status, the lamb and beef must be at least 70% forage-fed, and come from stock born, raised and finished in Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset or Wiltshire.
Gary Bound, purchasing manager for Tamar Foods, said: “We are delighted to be able to use PGI West Country Beef in this top-tier product for our retail customer. The recent awarding of PGI status has given us the opportunity to use high-quality, regional beef, which reduces food miles, secures employment locally and adds value to the regional economy.”