October 9, 2007

EU's rule-change on beef imports delights UK producers

The EU have agreed to lift the age at which vertebral column has to be removed from cattle carcases, from 24 months to 30 months, expanding the UK beef available that would be imported into the region, the UK's Farmer's Weekly reported.

The decision, which will take another three months to ratify, will lead to an increase in the supply of bone-in cuts of beef, such as T-bone steak and rib of beef which is expected to benefit the UK beef industry.

Previously, the requirement, put in place as a control measure against mad cow disease, meant that a large proportion of the UK's beef exports had to be de-boned, adding costs for producers.

Although the EU previously allowed UK bone-in beef from animals up to 30 months, this was reduced to 24 months as a condition of allowing British beef back onto the EU export market in May 2006.

National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland vice-president Nigel Miller welcomed the news, adding that the UK was the only country affected by the 24 month rule change.

Since half of Scotland's prime cattle are sold at between 24 and 30 months, the region is expected to benefit from the change.