Butcher’s Beef
‘FRANCE without frogs is like Britain without beef, and France without frog ranchers is like Britain without butchers.
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| Butcher’s charm offensive fails to win customers |
Unthinkable…or is it? The Times reports that the British butcher is becoming as endangered a species as a frog in France or a Spaniard in Tenerife.
Latest figures from the Meat And Livestock Commission suggest that there are fewer than 8,000 independent butchers left in Britain down from 25,000 25 years ago.
In 1977, well over half the population bought their meat from the local butcher compared with just one in ten last year.
And Government plans to promote local food and market regional specialities are being put at risk by the shortage of qualified butchers.
London butcher John Richardson blames the emphasis on young people going to university for the problem.
The same is going on with plumbers and carpenters, he said. Young people dont like the image of a butcher they think its cold, dirty, hard work, but there are lots of opportunities.
All you need is a BA in Butchery, a blue and white striped apron and your own machete and youre good to go…’
Posted: 26th, April 2004 | In: Broadsheets Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
