BSE Legacy Still Shapes UK Beef Economics
Has the UK Beef Industry Recovered 30 Years After BSE?
Thirty years after the BSE crisis, questions are being raised over whether the UK beef industry has ever fully recovered. This is according to analysis from Traditional Unionist Voice (TUV).
While farmgate beef prices are significantly higher than they were in the aftermath of BSE, the article argues that these gains have been outstripped by sharp increases in input costs. These costs include fuel, feed, fertiliser, and compliance. As a result, many producers continue to face tight or negative margins despite headline price rises.
The review also claims that processor margins have expanded disproportionately. This contributed to higher retail prices that make beef less affordable for consumers. Meanwhile, farmers remain under pressure from imports and rising costs. The piece highlights ongoing tension across the supply chain over value distribution and long-term sustainability.
Source: TUV | 10 January 2026
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