NSA project bids to trace meat origins

A PIONEERING meat traceability project has been launched by the National Sheep Association (NSA).

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Working in partnership with Bia Analytical, the organisation wants to establish whether the technology exists to be able to successfully identify the age, breed and location of where an animal has been grazing from meat samples.

“Not all meat tastes the same and the main factors affecting the flavour are the age of the animal, it's breed and its environment,” explained Nicola Noble, NSA project manager. “There are many varieties of apples available, yet sheep meat is very rarely advertised as nothing more than lamb.

“We should be embracing diversity within the sheep sector and allow the public to appreciate the different flavours, tastes and textures that come from it.”