Supplies steady as prices are driven higher
22 March 2001
The mass slaughter of hundreds of thousands of animals has not affected meat supplies but prices of lamb and pork have increased, according to the Meat and Livestock Commission.
Beef and chicken prices went up at the start of the foot-and-mouth outbreak, but have since fallen back.
Lamb and pork prices have remained about 50% up.
Peter Frankel, owner of the 60-seat La Poule au Pot in London, has been forced to introduce a £1 surcharge on lamb and pork dishes.
Richard Ball, chairman of the Pride of Britain hotel consortium, added: "Lamb is difficult to get hold of, and is quite pricey."
John Torode, owner of the 200-seat Smiths of Smithfields, in London's Charterhouse Street, said he had not had any problems with meat supplies - so far.
