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Original poster

Local butchers importing meat from China

114 replies

Glitterybee · 13/01/2025 01:43

AIBU to be absolutely fuming about this?

I spent a small fortune at a local butchers on Saturday and as I went to open one of the items today (chicken), I noticed it said on the pack ‘origin of meat - China’

That then prompted me to check all the packaging and none of the meat is sourced locally. They were all labelled as coming from either China or Poland.

I live in a very rural area with a huge network of farmers. Why on earth would a local butcher import chicken and red meat from other countries? I think it’s a disgrace.

OP posts:
Mademetoxic · 13/01/2025 08:12

What do the Google reviews say? Maybe put one on informing other customers about it if there isn't one already.

Needspaceforlego · 13/01/2025 08:10

I would assume butchers are selling UK beef and chicken too. TBH I'd be pretty peeved if I'd paid more than supermarket prices for it too.

I can't even think how they source that meat to stock the shop. Unless they are buying from a cash n carry. I can't imagine a local independent Butcher being able to negotiate and buy from China themselves.

floppybit · 13/01/2025 08:03

I have to admit I always presume meat from the butchers is local, I'm shocked by it coming from China!

Original poster
Glitterybee · 13/01/2025 08:01

Glad to know it’s not just me… will be looking at other butchers asap

OP posts:
wheo · 13/01/2025 07:50

I put some chicken back in the SPAR shop last week as it was from Poland. Green beans from Kenya.

We live in the Weald of Kent. I won't buy it, not at a time when British farmers are struggling.

It's a joke as well, the burden of climate change is put on us- what is the carbon footprint of importing chicken from China???!

Sajacas · 13/01/2025 07:49

Find a new butcher who does source meat locally.
You need to vote with your feet/wallet on this one. Unless people buy locally consistently it will disappear.

ChopstickNovice · 13/01/2025 07:47

I wouldn't say anything but I would go elsewhere.

Accidental underline of text!

Clearinguptheclutter · 13/01/2025 07:42

I’m not surprised but unless butcher is claiming to use “locally sourced”
meat Yanbu. They will be competing with supermarkets who can sell at a much lower price point

i wouldn’t be fuming but I’d get my meat elsewhere

Porcuporpoise · 13/01/2025 07:35

As a country we prioritise "cheap" above almost everything else when it comes to meat. Your butcher is competing against the supermarkets which also specialise in cheap, high intensity reared meat, albeit that quite a lot of this in bred in the UK and Ireland.

If you want to support local farmers look to buy on line. It will cost you £££ though.

HelloIsItMeYoureCookingFor · 13/01/2025 07:30

Butcher Caught Displaying Lack of Ethics Shocker 😅

Whaleandsnail6 · 13/01/2025 07:24

At any point did they claim to use local meat or did you assume?

I imagine it is cheaper for them to buy imported meat. Like you said, if there is plenty of local sources there must be a reason they are importing it.

Choose a different butcher but do your research on them first.

zerogrey · 13/01/2025 01:56

Given the way they treat animals in china, fuck that.

steff13 · 13/01/2025 01:47

I wouldn't be "fuming," but I'd look for a different butcher.

Fedupmumofadultsons · 13/01/2025 01:46

Well just don't buy again unfortunately a lot of chicken comes from China Taiwan it's why a lot of it is gross

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