Horsemeat Scandal 
In the wake of the current horsemeat scandal, politicians on all sides are urging people to shun the supermarkets and buy from the smaller independent shops, with former Labour Environment Minster Ben Bradshaw quoted as saying: “If people want to be confident about the meat they are eating, they should buy fresh, British meat, preferably local, and from a trusted source.”
I’d have to say that key to regaining public trust is transparency and highlighting the advantages of the shorter supply chains enjoyed by reputable butchers.
The supply chain to a family-run business like Radcliffe Butchers often involves just the farmer and abattoir – which means your butcher knows exactly where the meat has come from and guarantees that what you are getting is genuine and unadulterated.
Our mince is made only from our whole cuts trim; our burgers and sausages are made with Manx Beef, Lamb or Pork and made here on site by us.
For us it is not just a matter of knowing that our meat has been raised in the Isle of Man with good fresh air and clean water, but those key relationships with our suppliers means we can also be assured of the welfare of the animals they are raising.
So there is no need for consumers to shun meat in general, or stop enjoying products such as burgers in particular – it is just a matter of choosing a good butcher you can trust.
