7 March 2012

1 minute read

Europe

A rising year-old Limousin bull Grange Gervaise, from the Grange herd of Northamptonshire breeders George and Steven Smith, was sold to the Les 4 Limousin breeders’ consortium in Le Verdeau, Saint-Just-le-Martel, near Limoges.

The landmark export is believed to represent the first time a British-bred Limousin bull has been sold back to the breed’s country of origin. Prior to the latest deal the Grange herd has sold pedigree Limousins to countries including the US, Zimbabwe, the Azores, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Rémi Fourrier, EBLEX export manager France, said: “This is a clear demonstration of unique skills of English cattle farmers and fantastic recognition from the French beef industry.”

In addition to the Limousin bull export, four Texel rams have also been sold to France – the first for 37 years – via the French Texel Society and with the help of the British Texel Society.

Mr Fourrier added: “Generation after generation English sheep farmers demonstrate their expertise in terms of genetics improvement, including with imported breeds. This kind of news reflects the quality of the English sheep industry which produces almost a fifth of total sheep meat purchased by discerning French consumers.”