A new DNA test has been developed to provide authentication for a specialist beef breed, the prestige of which breeders fear is being undermined. The DNA test will allow retailers to establish whether meat is genuine Aberdeen-Angus, in the latest move to tightly regulate the protected heritage breed.

The test, the first of its kind in the UK, has been developed by IdentiGEN, a company specialising in providing DNA testing to the food industry. It was devised at the request of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society which is concerned with conserving the beef’s protected status. The society plans to make the test available to supermarkets.

For beef to be classed as Aberdeen-Angus under European law, the animal it comes from must have been sired by a registered pedigree Aberdeen-Angus. Although the meat commands premium prices, demand for Aberdeen-Angus steak is increasing.

Aberdeen-Angus meat has a much sought after ‘marbling’ of fat, but breeders are concerned that sub-standard beef is being given the Aberdeen-Angus name and sold cheaper than the genuine article.

The Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society’s DNA test is conducted by swabbing the carcasses at slaughter and tracing the animal’s origins using records.

Supermarkets have claimed they already use a thorough authentication process to establish the origin of their Aberdeen Angus beef, but the cattle society has said such paper methods are open to human error and unscrupulous doctoring.

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