McDonald's raises prices paid to 6,000 British farmers
UK Press Releases
November, 2007
McDonald's is underlining its support for British agriculture by increasing the prices it pays its beef and pork producers.
From Monday 15th October, McDonald's will pay 5%; more for the beef and pork it buys from its suppliers and this will be passed directly back to the 6,300 British farmers that supply McDonald's with beef and pork.
The move means an injection of more than £455,000 into British agriculture by the end of the year and follows one of the most difficult periods for the industry in many years.
Following consultation with key suppliers, McDonald's is also introducing two further measures to support the industry in this country further: a 30% increase in the amount of British beef purchased - around 100 tonnes extra per week - and an increase in the number of permitted animal movements from three to four, bringing beef into the company's supply chain that would previously have had to be exported.
Matthew Howe, Senior Vice President at McDonald's, said: "Our business is built on the highest quality British farming and we have a responsibility to act on our loyalty and commitment to the industry."
"British farming currently faces arguably its most challenging period for many years and there is little doubt that, at current prices, beef and pig farmers cannot make a return on their animals. We hope this combination of measures will help relieve some immediate pressures and provide stability going forward."
For further information please call McDonald's press office on 0208 700 7320.
Notes to editors:
• All McDonald's beef comes from the UK and Ireland, and all its pork is British.
• McDonald's uses whole cuts of beef forequarter and flank in its 100% beef patties.
• These cuts typically represent around 45% of the total weight of an animal's carcass.
• In 2006 McDonald's boneless belly pork and bacon was sourced from 1.2million pigs, all from British farms.
• In 2006 approximately 6,330 farms in England, Wales and Scotland supplied beef and pork to McDonald's.
