April 6, 2006

UK beef exports to start in May

Beef exports from the UK to other EU countries will begin on May 3, according to the Official Journal of the European Commission.

Beef from cattle born before Aug 1996 and from cattle slaughtered before Jun 2005 cannot be exported. For live cattle, only those born after Jul 1996 can be exported.

Some slaughter cattle have already been purchased by traders and more are expected to be bought next week.

Competition in the beef market in the EU, which has not felt the presence of British beef for a decade, will soon be heating up, a trader said.

Prices of slaughter cattle in the UK are expected to rise as more beef from both prime animals and commercial cows is sold overseas.