Farming: Genetic testing to protect Aberden-Angus ‘brand’

A NEW move to stamp out abuse of the Aberdeen-Angus beef brand by unscrupulous butchers and restaurants was announced yesterday by the Perth-based Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society and Dublin-based IdentiGEN, which provides DNA-based verification systems for the food industry.

The move is part of a major drive to establish Certified Aberdeen-Angus Beef (CAAB) as the No1 British and Irish beef brand.

IdentiGEN technology will be used to generate a reference DNA data bank to confirm the origins of CAAB beef.

Aberdeen-Angus chief executive Ron McHattie said the programme represented a significant development in the society’s efforts to protect farmers throughout the UK 
and Ireland producing the genuine product. “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 brand,” said McHattie.

“Consumers want reassurance that they are buying 100 per cent traceable certified Aberdeen-Angus beef.”

EDDIE GILLANDERS