Where can I buy ethically reared meat in Britain?

Brand_X

Mojisola wrote: »

You were spot on, missbiggles!

Brand_X - you really wouldn't want to eat meat from a 20 year old animal!

Some farmers sell mutton which comes from older sheep rather than lambs but it's much tougher.

Otherwise, buying wild game - as martinthebandit suggested - would be worth trying. The animals haven't had a pampered life but they have lived a natural one until being shot in the field so there are no stresses associated with being driven miles to an abatoir.

Ah hah! I think you're on to something, thankyou Mojisola. I can live with eating meat that's tough as old boots and tastes like cardboard, but wild game reminded me of venison, something I had forgotten about. I've just done a little bit of reading up on venison, and it looks to be a fairly ethical option because - at least at the present time - deer herds are way out of control and desperately need culling.
I don't like venison, but I reckon if I stew it up it'll be okay.

PennyForThem_2

If you want to give a venison stew a try large Sainsbury sell Scottish venison rather than NZ venison.

(S'bury do rabbit and did do wood pigeon breast which I found delicious but haven't seen that for a while - maybe seasonal.)

michelle.griffin

it wouldn't be cost effective for a farmer/small holders to keep the animals for that length of time as they would still only be worth the same value when slaughtered. It's done a such a young age to ensure the best quality meat. We all get a bit long in the tooth and tougher with age The father-in-law is a sheep/lamb 'hobby' breeder and we were lucky enough to have one of his lambs for the freezer. The difference in quality and taste was amazing and i will definitely look for other local sourced meats based on this.

Rebecca_Palmer

I came across this site and i thought it might help you.

Beckyy

Have you tried schemes like Abel & Cole and Riverford? They're not available in my area but I've heard read lots of good online reports about them.

Also local-ish farm shops, and there are quite a few online stockists such as Eversfieldorganic and Graig Farm. Again I haven't used them myself but worth checking out.

Mojisola

Rebecca_Palmer wrote: »

I came across this site and i thought it might help you.

Beckyy wrote: »

Have you tried schemes like Abel & Cole and Riverford? They're not available in my area but I've heard read lots of good online reports about them.

Also local-ish farm shops, and there are quite a few online stockists such as Eversfieldorganic and Graig Farm. Again I haven't used them myself but worth checking out.

The animals are killed too young for the OP's liking.

He/she wants meat from animals that have lived a long life.

MrsCD

Have you tries any local farmers' markets? The farmers sell their own meat, so you can ask them how long the animals have been reared, and conditions etc. I've bought pork and beef from markets in County Durham and the meat is always superior to the supermarkets. Otherwise, look for a good local butcher, who knows where the meat has come from. They are a fount of knowledge. HTH

ETA: just seen missbiggles' post re: farmers markets in Somerset - I wish I was nearer!