The National Farmers Union (NFU) is urging restaurateurs to print their meats country of origin of on menus to reassure customers it does not contain banned hormones or medicines.

Last month, the NFU persuaded Asda to jettison untested Brazilian beef but warned it would now enter the wholesale market for caterers and restaurateurs.

To tackle this, the union intends to contact the UK’s major restaurant chains and contract caterers to discuss their meat procurement policies.

It has also called for a ban on imported meat from countries such as Brazil, Botswana and Uruguay that do not comply with EU standards.

Peter King, chief livestock adviser at the NFU, said caterers should follow the example of the Irish Republic by providing country of origin details so consumers could make informed decisions.

“It will become a bigger issue,” warned King. “We don’t want consumers to boycott beef because they are concerned about hormones.”

King said buying meat with a quality guarantee – such as the Red Tractor mark – would help pacify customers.

By Angela Frewin

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