Supermarket to raise its own cows

A SUPERMARKET in eastern France is claiming a first by raising its own cattle next to the store.

Management at Super U in Devecey, Franche-Comté, have bought a five-hectare field a few hundred metres from the supermarket, where shoppers can watch about 15 cows graze.

The shop will work with a local breeder who will supply the animals next spring and look after them.

The first meat will then be produced at an abbatoir 10km away, in Besançon, going on sale at the store in time for the 2015 Christmas holidays.

The shop's manager told local newspaper Le Progrès that the "fun" idea aimed to "reassure our customers" about the tracability of meat.

He said: "When they go for a walk around town, they'll be able to admire the animals that will one day be sold in our shop."

The supermarket's head butcher added: "It's a return to traditional methods, something that has been lost somewhat in recent years."