New British Wagyu assurance scheme launched

New British Wagyu assurance scheme launched

A British Wagyu assurance scheme has been established by the Wagyu Breeders Association (WBA) in order to maintain and ensure traceability, animal welfare and consumer trust throughout the supply chain.

The new British Wagyu Quality Assurance Scheme logo.

The scheme, which was launched on the 1st July, says all rearers, growers, finishers, processors and retailers will benefit from membership of the scheme as consumer demand for premium British Wagyu-assured beef grows.

The new WBA British Wagyu logo will also be displayed on all packaging of products which conform to the new standards. The scheme will be financed through agreements with the WBA’s major tag and DNA partners, from logo royalties alongside membership fees.

“This is a hugely exciting time for the premium end of the beef industry with customers demanding not only superior eating quality but also animals that are fully traceable and reared to the highest welfare standards.”

The introduction of this new assurance scheme also aims to enhance the integrity and value of premium Wagyu beef, whilst also being at the forefront of data collection for meat quality, performance efficiency and climate change. The WBA also says it will also help increase the profile and demand for British Wagyu.

WBA director, Chris Dickinson, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for the premium end of the beef industry with customers demanding not only superior eating quality but also animals that are fully traceable and reared to the highest welfare standards. The new British Wagyu assurance scheme puts out a very strong marker.”

The WBA says that data collection and analysis, which will underpin the financial return on investment, are an integral part of the scheme.

With partners in place to carry out DNA and genomic testing, and with access to carcase and performance data linking back to all sires, the whole supply chain will have a marketing and breeding tool available in order to maximise efficiency and profitability as well as ticking wider environmental boxes.

From the outset, this will include standard carcase information such as days to slaughter, DLWG, carcase weight, killing-out %, and over time will expand to key economic traits like retail yield and feed efficiency.

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