December 5, 2007

UK beef exports resume in two weeks, after foot and mouth incidents

UK will rejoin the international beef market after bans due to foot and mouth diseases were lifted.

Incidences of foot and mouth disease in Surrey, which started on August 3, left the livestock industry crippled with movement restrictions and partial bans on exports.

Announcements from Brussels were widely welcomed by dairy farmers who for many months were prevented from exporting their surplus bull calves.

The trade in dairy calves only resumed 18 months ago, before which most bulls were disposed of shortly after birth. The difference between zero value and US$73.60 per calf frequently made the difference between profit and loss on a family dairy unit.

Of equal importance is the resumption of the trade in live sheep to mainland Europe. This business was largely the shipping of sheep, mostly older animals, to ethnic communities and specialist abattoirs where strict religious protocols were observed.

Meanwhile, pedigree sheep and cattle breeders in Scotland can confidently expect to see their order books burst as there is huge interest in UK native breeds.