I am from the UK and want to make my own pastry but I cannot find Lard anywhere the alternative I am finding online is shortening what is shortening in the USA?

In the USA, shortening is a solid fat made from vegetable oils that has been hydrogenated to make it solid at room temperature. It has a similar texture to lard but is plant-based and typically contains no cholesterol. While lard is rendered pork fat, shortening is often used in baking for its ability to create a flaky texture in pastries. If you're looking for a substitute, you can also consider using butter or a combination of butter and shortening for flavor and flakiness.