Today's Guardian article revealed that €3.3 billion in EU farming subsidies went to companies owned by billionaires between 2018 and 2021. As a butcher working exclusively with small family farms, this helps explain a question we often hear at Spek & Boonen: "Why are your prices higher than the supermarket?"
The answer isn't greed – it's simple economics. Let me explain how the current system works.
EU farming subsidies are based on land area – the more hectares you own, the more support you receive. This creates an interesting situation. A large industrial farm with 1,000 hectares receives subsidies proportional to their land size, while a family farm with 20 hectares receives just 2% of that support. Yet both farms must meet the same regulatory requirements and compete in the same market.
This matters because our partner farms, who raise animals with the care and respect they deserve, operate on a smaller scale. When you visit them, you'll find farmers who know their animals individually. You'll meet people who have maintained traditional farming knowledge through generations, who care deeply for their land, and who see farming not just as a business, but as a craft to be preserved and passed down.
Our prices reflect the true cost of ethical meat production. Small farms receive minimal subsidy support, yet proper animal welfare requires more time, space, and labor. We pay our farmers prices that ensure their sustainability, and our traditional farming practices prioritize quality over volume. These aren't excuses for higher prices – they're the essential elements of producing meat the right way.
Here's what many don't realize: industrially produced meat isn't actually cheaper – the cost is just distributed differently. You pay once at the checkout counter, and again through taxes that fund the subsidy system.
At Spek & Boonen, we believe in transparency and craftsmanship. Every euro you spend in our shop directly supports the kind of farming we believe in – one where quality matters more than quantity, where animals are treated with respect, and where traditional butchery skills are preserved.
The solution isn't to eliminate agricultural subsidies – they play an important role in food security. However, we believe the system should better support those who maintain the highest standards of animal welfare and sustainable farming practices, regardless of their size.
Until then, we'll continue doing what we've always done: working with small farms, maintaining our high standards, and providing our community with meat of exceptional quality. We're grateful to our customers who understand that true quality comes at a fair price – one that reflects not just the cost of production, but the value of doing things the right way.
Bjorn Boonen
Owner, Spek & Boonen