October 14, 2005

UK prepares for lifting of country's beef export ban
 

The UK government has made preparations for the lifting of the EU ban on British beef. It recently launched a formal consultation on legislative changes required once the ban was lifted.

British beef exports have been banned in the EU since March 1996, due to mad cow disease, or BSE there.

The consultation sought to allow required legislative changes to be in place when the EU officially lifted the ban. While the ban was expected to be lifted early next year, the European Commission still had to present a formal proposal to member states first.

In addition to beef exports, the UK also expected the EU ruling to allow resumption of its live cattle exports. Once the ban was lifted, the UK would also be required to follow EU specified risk material rules for BSE. This meant that the spinal column would have to be removed from cattle aged more than 24 months.

The consultation sought feedback on whether removal of the spinal column could be done in specially licensed butcher shops besides slaughtering plants. Officials also called for feedback on whether cattle head meat should be allowed back into the food chain.

National Farmers Union Scotland praised the government's early consultation, as it prepared the necessary legislative adjustments for the resumption of beef exports.