Consumers have been urged to support local farmers by buying Irish reared turkeys this Christmas by IFA Poultry Chairman Nigel Reneghan.

He said buy an Irish turkey and be sure of what you’re getting for Christmas.

According to Reneghan Irish turkeys are reared to the highest possible welfare standards and are fully traceable back to farm.

“By buying Irish you will be supporting the hard work put in year-round on family farms throughout the country to produce top quality, sustainable food, you’ll help to support your local economy and to sustain the 300,000 jobs connected to the agri-food industry in Ireland.”

The IFA Poultry Chairman thanked all retailers who are supporting Irish and providing their customers with an Irish reared turkey this Christmas.

Irish consumers will consume 800,000 whole turkeys this Festive season. Last year, 160,000 of turkeys were imported to Ireland for the Christmas market, supplying the wholesale and butcher markets.

A preference for local food is a growing trend amongst consumers in the UK and Ireland, according to Bord Bia’s Periscope report.

Outlining the results of the report Michal Slawski of Bord Bia says in Ireland, seven out of 10 adults consider buying local produce to be important when shopping for food – as a comparison; just over half of adults in the UK feel the same.