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Kosher beef prices may rise in the event of no-deal Brexit

Sources show that 30 to 50 per cent of kosher beef is imported from the Continent

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Fears were raised over the price of kosher beef after it was announced that protective tariffs on food imports will be imposed in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

While the vast majority of kosher lamb and poultry is procured in the UK, industry sources indicate 30 to 50 per cent of kosher beef is imported from the Continent — mostly from Poland.

On Tuesday, Michael Gove, the Environment Secretary, told the National Farmers’ Union conference in Birmingham that, should Britain leave the European Union without a deal, “there will be protections for sensitive sections of agriculture and food production”.

Details of the tariff regime will be revealed in the “next few days”, according to the Guardian.

While the Manchester Beth Din confirmed 100 per cent of its fresh beef is British, the London Board for Shechita (LBS) admitted that it does import a portion of its beef, and that preparations are under way to procure more of its meat domestically.

An LBS spokesman said: “The London Board for Shechita is conscious of the possible impact of a no-deal Brexit on supplies of Polish beef that are authorised under its supervision for the UK market. The imported kosher beef market may be vulnerable to the imposition of tariffs.”

Stephen Grossman, the owner of the Silvermans kosher butcher chain, which procures all its meat from UK abattoirs, predicted that kosher beef “will probably become a little bit more expensive”.

He said: “It will affect those businesses who did not support British suppliers, in search of lower costs. They will now have to go back to the British abattoirs.

“There may be a shortage of British meat more generally, and kosher beef will probably become a little bit more expensive, because it will be more in demand. British suppliers may be able to increase prices.”

 

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