Diners urged:

DINERS should ask where their meat has come from when they are dining out, urges a new campaign backed by the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC).

The campaign, launched by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), advises that anyone dining out should ask where their food originated.

And the campaign is given further impetus by the latest figures from NOP which show that 60 per cent of people believe pubs, restaurants and hotels should give written information on their menus showing the sources of their meat.

MLC Foodservice Trade Manager, Tony Goodger, said: "We welcome the CLA's 'Just Ask' Campaign and it is pleasing to see that the Government is continuing to support the consumer's right to know the origin of the food they are eating out of the home.

"Public demand for clearer labelling on menus has been growing for many years, particularly when ordering red meat.

"That is why the MLC has long been calling for pubs, restaurants and hotels to take a proactive approach and give customers reassurance on the origin and quality of meat they serve as a matter of course."