July 17, 2008

Netherlands' ban to devastate UK beef sector

The recent ban of the Netherlands on UK beef will devastate the British export industry after it has just recovered from foot and mouth disease restrictions imposed last year.

Netherlands' decision came after 12 calves exported from a single premise in England to six farms in the Netherlands tested positive for bovine tuberculosis (TB).

The calves have been slaughtered and are undergoing further tests.

Around 27 farms that have been in contact with the original six are now under close monitoring and Dutch veterinarians are testing more than 4,000 cattle for the disease. The results are to be released Monday (July 21).

National Beef Association director, Kim Haywood said that the ban would devastate the UK beef export industry.

"This is catastrophic for exporters. This is a peak time for live calf exports and Holland is our best market," Haywood said.

A Defra spokesman said that no rules had been broken since they had exported cattle in compliance with the EU trade rules and have notified the Netherlands because the cattle in question subsequently turned out to be from a herd that has TB.

The incident will further fuel the debate over whether the UK is in breach of EU rules by not following a TB-eradication programme.