| 2018-02-26 |    |
Celebrate a British Hero this Spring
New NFU president Minette Batters is calling on the British public to get behind Great British Beef Week, which returns for the eighth consecutive year from April 23-30.
Minette, who was elected last week as the NFU’s first female leader in 110 years, is a champion of British beef and a co-founder of Ladies in Beef - the driving force behind Great British Beef Week. Ladies in Beef is a group of more than 150 female beef farmers who care passionately about what they do.
Pictured left to right are Ladies in Beef members, Rosie Jacobs (Berkshire), Judith Jacobs (Cambridgeshire), Anna Blumfield (Essex), Pam Jacobs (Cambridgeshire), Suzy Deeley (R.A.B.I corporate development manager) and Suzanne Clark (Warwickshire).
Minette, from Wiltshire, said:
"We first established Ladies
in Beef to tell the story of British
Red Tractor assured beef. As
a mother and a consumer myself, I really value British beef as part
of a healthy, nutritious, balanced diet, and appreciate the vital
role livestock production plays in the management of our beautiful
countryside. It’s these messages that I want to communicate to others."
The advantages of eating beef as part of a healthy and balanced diet can be easily overlooked.
This year’s Great British Beef Week campaign will focus on the
benefits of eating thin cuts - which are readily available
at most supermarkets and provide a quick and easy wholesome meal,
ideal for midweek ease. Jilly Greed, also a co-founder of Ladies
in Beef, said:
"Thin
cuts are a great way of shaking up midweek mealtimes. They’re robust
in flavour and you can cook them in minutes. They’re lean and an
underrated source of protein and iron, as well as eight essential
vitamins and minerals."
Jilly went on:
"As professional beef farmers, we know the
work that goes into producing the very best British beef. But as
shoppers and mums, we also know how challenging it can be to provide
healthy and nutritious meals, seven days a week."
Great British Beef Week begins on St George’s Day, Monday April 23 and will run until Monday April 30. The campaign is all about celebrating the quality and versatility of a real British hero, that’s our beef sector, not Saint George!
The
Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) is supporting
the campaign as charity partner. R.A.B.I helps farming people in
financial hardship, giving out grants of around £2m per year. Paul
Burrows, R.A.B.I CEO, said:
"If everyone bought just 10% more
British food every week it would greatly transform British agriculture
and farmers’ lives."
Devon-based Jilly
added:
"Just by buying British beef, you’ll be doing your bit
for the farming industry. During campaign week, we’d love to see
British beef on more menu and special boards and if you can’t dine
out, why not put beef on the menu at home? In addition to thin cuts,
why not try our speedy curry recipe?"
