Backing British Farmers
This piece explores why food standards and animal welfare matter, not just for farmers, but for everyone who cares about where their food comes from and how it’s produced.
We’re not scientists. But we are global citizens, aware of our responsibilities and the impact of our choices. Engaging with the facts, without panic or misinformation, benefits communities, farmers, and our food system, now and in the future.
Protecting the UK’s world-class food and animal welfare standards underpins food quality, environmental responsibility, and trust. The UK has long had a reputation for high welfare practices, yet over recent decades, farmers have faced growing pressure from population growth, rising costs, and increasing demand, particularly in fast-food supply chains.
National reporting has highlighted how large-scale factory farming can create welfare challenges and environmental strain: outcomes that ultimately benefit no one.
The UK, alongside countries such as Austria, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, holds top international ratings for animal welfare (International Animal Protection Index). Yet ongoing trade discussions, particularly post-Brexit, could place some of these standards under pressure.
This is not a political piece. The Biltong Merchant is not involved in partisan debates. What we do care about is where our meat comes from and how animals are treated, for the benefit of all.
Cattle farming has been examined as part of broader climate and sustainability discussions. In the UK, around 85% of beef is raised on predominantly grass-fed and foraging diets (Defra, Cattle Farm Practices Survey 2019), which means UK beef is not a driver of the large-scale deforestation seen elsewhere.
The UK also uses some of the lowest levels of antibiotics in the world, and practices such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef, common in other countries, remain illegal here.
Current welfare standards are built around the Five Freedoms from the Animal Welfare Act (2007), ensuring animals are healthy, well cared for, and able to express natural behaviours throughout their lives. There's a very clearly outlined summary of these principles here.
Why biltong fits this approach
Quality biltong starts with grass-fed, ethically reared cattle, not intensive factory farms.
For many people, choosing meat is also about choosing quality: knowing where it comes from and how it’s been produced. Biltong is made from prime cuts, usually silverside, which are simply seasoned and air-dried. This curing process preserves protein, vitamins, and minerals, rather than relying on additives or heavy processing.
Our suppliers take pride in sourcing meat responsibly. While biltong is sometimes seen as “expensive,” it’s worth remembering that one kilogram of grass-fed beef yields roughly 500 grams of biltong, making it a nutrient-dense, minimally processed, and ethically sourced option.
In short, biltong is more than a snack. It’s a choice that supports higher welfare farming while providing wholesome, tasty nutrition.
