Butchers’ fees cut by 10pc

Surprise cuts in fees paid by butchers of around 10 per cent per kilo on lamb and beef have been announced by the London Board for Shechita.

The cuts, which came into effect on Tuesday, have been introduced to help butchers facing spiralling wholesale prices, in order to limit what they then charge consumers. They have been welcomed by Jacky Lipowicz, chairman of the Licensed Kosher Meat Traders’ Association, the butchers’ “union”.

Prices ought to be limited after new fee cuts

“Spring lamb prices in the general meat trade have risen by as much as 60 per cent in the past month and for beef about 30 per cent, so the LBS’s decision will enable butchers to keep their prices at current levels and not raise them any further,” said Mr Lipowicz.

“The general increases in prices have hit butchers, along with everyone else, and I know a number have been struggling. We have already seen the closure of Ilford Kosher Meats a few weeks ago. Even though more people are buying kosher meat and poultry, the kosher industry is going through a bad patch, with profit margins being continually eroded.”