CHANGE IN EU BEEF RULES GOOD FOR LOCAL FARMERS
April 25, 2008 11:52 AM
LibDem European agriculture spokesperson for England and Wales Liz Lynne has welcomed a decision by the European Commission to relax the rules on processing slaughtered beef on the bone.
Beef may now be taken off the vertebral column of animals up to 30 months old, rather than 24 months previously. This is due to the decreasing risk of BSE and will benefit the meat industry.
Liz Lynne MEP said:
"This decision is good news for local farmers and consumers alike as it shows increasing confidence in the safety of our meat and its producers. Extensive research shows that the fight against BSE is being won and it is right the rules should be adjusted accordingly.
"The changes will improve the competitiveness of our meat industry and reduce waste disposal costs as less needs to be classified as 'specified risk material' and destroyed. The new rules also bring us into line with the international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health."
ENDS
Notes:
The strict controls were brought in to improve food safety for consumers but also had the effect of increasing costs for farmers and processors, as well as reducing the supply of bone-in cuts to customers. The controls were particularly costly in the case of slow-growing, grass-fed traditional breeds.
The number of cases of BSE has significantly decreased in recent years and the average age of positive cases has been increasing. A 2007 European Food Safety Authority report had shown that 33 months would have also been a safe new limit for removal of the bovine vertebral column, but the decision was taken to maximise safety and set the limit at 30 months.
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE): http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm
What would you like to do next?
-
Subscribe for updates
Follow the party's activity on...
- Twitter:
- Liberal Democrats
- Facebook:
- Liberal Democrats
- YouTube:
- Liberal Democrats