Traceability Programme for Aberdeen Angus Beef
SCOTLAND, UK - Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society has formed an exciting new partnership with IdentiGEN, one of world’s leading providers of DNA-based verification systems, as part of a major drive to establish Certified Aberdeen-Angus Beef (CAAB) as the No. 1 British and Irish beef brand.
10 September 2012
2 minute read
Recognising the growing demand for Aberdeen-Angus beef in the UK and Ireland, the Society is undertaking this bold initiative to further strengthen brand integrity and differentiate its certified beef programme.
Under this new collaboration, IdentiGEN’s DNA TraceBack® technology will be used to generate a reference DNA databank of animals eligible to enter the CAAB programme. The databank will facilitate the routine DNA monitoring of CAAB beef to confirm its Aberdeen-Angus origins and facilitate initiatives aimed at improving eating quality.
Ron McHattie, chief executive of the Perth-based Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society, described the programme as “a significant development in the Society’s ongoing efforts to promote Aberdeen-Angus beef, and support and protect the growing number of Aberdeen-Angus beef farmers throughout the UK and Ireland”.
He said: “Aberdeen-Angus is the fastest-growing breed of beef cattle in the world and it is absolutely crucial that we protect the integrity and develop the quality of the Aberdeen-Angus brand. Consumers want reassurance that when they are buying the Certified Aberdeen-Angus Beef brand, they know exactly what they are getting – great tasting, 100 per cent traceable Certified Aberdeen-Angus beef.
“This new technology created by IdentiGEN provides us with the tool to ramp up our due diligence. DNA TraceBack® allows us to move our processes to different level, further protecting the integrity of Aberdeen-Angus and, at the same time, giving us a competitive edge in the marketplace.”
IdentiGEN co-founder Dr Ronan Loftus, one of the original developers of DNA TraceBack®, described the new partnership as “significant and exciting” and “heralding a new quality benchmark for the British meat industry”.
“Consumers are increasingly savvy and want to know where the food they buy and eat comes from – this new partnership ensures 100 per cent traceability for all beef carrying the Certified Aberdeen-Angus Beef label,” he said.
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