Bid to save endangered Blue Grey

The Blue Grey Cattle Group is seeking to save the endangered Blue Grey, a long established traditional breed which is native to northern England and the Scottish borders, and is calling consumers to step up and support the Blue Grey’s superior beef which is at risk of extinction.

Financial backing has been granted by the Solway, Borders & Eden Leader Programme and the National Trust among others, recognising the cultural and economic significance of the Blue Grey and its parent breeds, which are part of the fabric of the northern fells and at risk of disappearing from our uplands.

The traditional Blue Grey is a ‘native first cross’ meaning both its parents are pure native breeds of cattle – Whitebred Shorthorn sire and Galloway dam. The Whitebred Shorthorn is traditionally bred solely to produce the Blue Grey and its survival continues to be dependent upon the commercial success of Blue Greys.

However a significant decline in breeders has caused the Whitebred Shorthorn to be classified as critically endangered by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust and placed on their watchlist.

The campaign is being backed by Cumbrian celebrity chef Peter Sidwell who champions Blue Grey beef in his restaurant, Peter Sidwell @ Rheged Café. Karen Telford, Secretary for the Blue Grey Cattle Group, said; “The Blue Grey has almost disappeared from public consciousness through a lack of promotion. Consumers have the power to change demand and by launching this campaign, we hope to educate consumers about the Blue Grey traditional breed of cattle, the quality of its slow grown beef and where to find it.

“We can only farm ourselves out of the current crisis and we can only succeed with the help of consumers.

“By choosing Blue Grey and requesting your local butchers and retailers to supply beef from Blue Greys, you are supporting the rural heritage of the border uplands and beyond and ensuring the existence of the rarest commercially farmed breed of cattle in the UK, the Whitebred Shorthorn.”

The website directs members of the public to retail outlets supplying beef from Blue Greys and hotels and restaurants which endorse the product, as well as encouraging consumers to request the beef product with those who aren’t selling or marketing Blue Grey meat to stimulate demand.