Traditional Geese Missing From Menus This Christmas

A farm shop in the Meon Valley has warned geese is off the menu for families across Hampshire this year because local farmers have not been able to source traditional British festive birds.

Westlands Farm Shop near Wickham has expected turkeys orders to outstrip last year because of the shortage of geese and has urged customers to place their Christmas meat order in good time ahead of the Yuletide festivities.

Local farmers have struggled to supply farm shops and supermarkets with traditional British geese this year because of the largest ever outbreak of avian flu, with more than 140 reported outbreaks in England alone.

Suzi Howard, Head Butcher at Westlands Farm Shop, said they have already seen a high demand for turkeys this year because some of their customers can’t order their preferred festive bird.

She added: “We’ve seen brisk trade in the shop, with turkeys being the most popular Christmas meat order this year. Because we have no geese available, it is more important than ever for customers to place their meat order early to secure their Christmas lunch centrepiece."

“Despite there being a higher demand for turkeys, we’re confident we will be able to supply orders to all of our customers because we source our festive birds from a local farm on Portsdown Hill - as long as orders are placed as early as possible."

“This year we’ve got a great range of meat to choose from including turkey, chicken, lamb, duck, ham, beef, pork and plenty more. But please remember to place your order sooner rather than later."