September 29, 2005

Ban on British beef exports in EU may end next year

British beef exports are on course to resume next year, after a European Commission report gave a seal of approval to the UK's measures against BSE.

Veterinary experts at the EC have confirmed that BSE is under control in the UK and that most of the necessary precautionary measures are in place.

The findings, published yesterday, could bring to an end the nine-year ban on British beef that erupted after mad cow disease was found in UK cattle in the 1990s. Importing countries subsequently reacted by banning British beef.

EU member states must now decide whether the ban should be lifted. One negative outcome could be if France and Germany vote to keep the ban, by raising doubts on the testing procedures for UK cows in farms.

Officials, however, are optimistic that a positive outcome will be reached by next year. Work is already underway to ensure that beef from UK cattle born after Aug 1, 1996 can be exported.

At last count, the UK had 10.6 million cattle of all ages in 2004.