08/03/2006
UK beef exports to resume by ‘end of April’
EU veterinary experts today agreed in Brussels that the 10 year ban on the export of beef and cattle from the UK should be lifted. This means that exports should be able to resume by the end of April or early May.
A meeting of the EU Standing Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCAH) unanimously approved a Commission proposal to allow the UK to export cattle born on or after August 1 1996, and beef and beef products derived from cattle slaughtered after June 15 2005.
Announcing the decision to lift the ban the European Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said that the precautionary steps taken in relation to beef exports from the UK were necessary to protect consumers.
"The UK has made great strides in tackling this disease and has met all of the criteria that were set for the lifting of the beef export ban in line with the scientific and veterinary advice."
He said that "normal trade" regarding the exports of beef would be resumed.
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Margaret Beckett, said: "This is excellent news for the British beef industry. This EU decision is a vindication of controls on BSE and our efforts to eradicate this disease.
"Britain's farmers produce high quality beef which will be in demand across Europe once the ban is lifted.
"We know that our beef is, at the very least, as safe as beef produced anywhere else in the EU."
Exports of beef and cattle, when they do resume, will be subject to certain rules.
National Famers Union estimates suggest that the ban cost the UK agricultural trade some £675 million per year.
Cattle born before August 1996 will remain permanently excluded from the domestic market and for export.
(GB/SP)
A meeting of the EU Standing Committee for the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCOFCAH) unanimously approved a Commission proposal to allow the UK to export cattle born on or after August 1 1996, and beef and beef products derived from cattle slaughtered after June 15 2005.
Announcing the decision to lift the ban the European Commissioner Markos Kyprianou said that the precautionary steps taken in relation to beef exports from the UK were necessary to protect consumers.
"The UK has made great strides in tackling this disease and has met all of the criteria that were set for the lifting of the beef export ban in line with the scientific and veterinary advice."
He said that "normal trade" regarding the exports of beef would be resumed.
Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Margaret Beckett, said: "This is excellent news for the British beef industry. This EU decision is a vindication of controls on BSE and our efforts to eradicate this disease.
"Britain's farmers produce high quality beef which will be in demand across Europe once the ban is lifted.
"We know that our beef is, at the very least, as safe as beef produced anywhere else in the EU."
Exports of beef and cattle, when they do resume, will be subject to certain rules.
National Famers Union estimates suggest that the ban cost the UK agricultural trade some £675 million per year.
Cattle born before August 1996 will remain permanently excluded from the domestic market and for export.
(GB/SP)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 March 2015
Owners Claim More Dogs Poisoned At Crufts
Allegations that up to six dogs were poisoned at this years Crufts show are to be "looked into", the Kennel Club has confirmed. The allegations have been made following the death of an Irish setter called Jagger. It was found the award-winning dog had eaten beef laced with poison while at Crufts in Birmingham.
Owners Claim More Dogs Poisoned At Crufts
Allegations that up to six dogs were poisoned at this years Crufts show are to be "looked into", the Kennel Club has confirmed. The allegations have been made following the death of an Irish setter called Jagger. It was found the award-winning dog had eaten beef laced with poison while at Crufts in Birmingham.
19 February 2013
No Horse DNA Found In Nestlé UK Beef Products
Following the discovery of traces of horsemeat in two products in France and Spain, Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, has said tests on nine processed beef products available in the UK found no equine contamination. The results of Nestlé UK's tests were released a day after its parent company became implicated in the pan-European scandal.
No Horse DNA Found In Nestlé UK Beef Products
Following the discovery of traces of horsemeat in two products in France and Spain, Nestlé, the world’s largest food company, has said tests on nine processed beef products available in the UK found no equine contamination. The results of Nestlé UK's tests were released a day after its parent company became implicated in the pan-European scandal.
14 February 2013
Painkiller 'Bute' Found In Slaughtered Horses
The Food Standards agency has found that six horses, of a group of eight killed in the UK, have tested positive for the painkiller bute and may have entered the food chain in France. Of 206 carcasses tested eight found to contain phenylbutazone. The highest level detected was 1.
Painkiller 'Bute' Found In Slaughtered Horses
The Food Standards agency has found that six horses, of a group of eight killed in the UK, have tested positive for the painkiller bute and may have entered the food chain in France. Of 206 carcasses tested eight found to contain phenylbutazone. The highest level detected was 1.
03 May 2006
British beef export ban ends
A ten-year ban on British beef exports, imposed to prevent the spread of mad cow disease, has been officially lifted. European Union officials agreed to lift the export ban, imposed in 1996, as a result of a drop in cases of BSE in the UK.
British beef export ban ends
A ten-year ban on British beef exports, imposed to prevent the spread of mad cow disease, has been officially lifted. European Union officials agreed to lift the export ban, imposed in 1996, as a result of a drop in cases of BSE in the UK.
15 September 2005
BSE ban to be lifted on older cattle
The ban on human consumption of meat from cattle aged over 30 months is to be lifted, the government has announced. Following advice from the Food Standards Agency, Defra announced that a proposed new BSE testing system would replace the Over Thirty Months (OTM) rule.
BSE ban to be lifted on older cattle
The ban on human consumption of meat from cattle aged over 30 months is to be lifted, the government has announced. Following advice from the Food Standards Agency, Defra announced that a proposed new BSE testing system would replace the Over Thirty Months (OTM) rule.