Welcome announcement for beleaguered industry
15 August 2005
Jim Allister MEP has welcomed the decision today from the Food Standards Agency and believes that the ending of the current Over Thirty Months Scheme is now within sight.
“It is vital that the FSA are happy with the testing system that is in place for over 30 month (OTM) beef before they change the scheme rules. The FSA board today recommended to Government that changes should be made to the Over Thirty Months Scheme and that the new testing regime would be able to operate to the highest standards across the UK.
“The prerequisites to changing the scheme rules, set by the FSA, will also be beneficial both for the general consumer and the beef industry. It is vital that the general consumer is educated prior to any change in the scheme rules. The general public need to be informed that tested Over Thirty Month beef is safe to eat and there are no risks associated with eating tested product. I also welcome the retention of the current scheme until there is sufficient capacity to cope with demand for the slaughter of OTM animals. If the current scheme was not retained, there could be a glut of beef on the market which could have resulted in a further fall in beef prices.
Jim Allister hopes that today’s announcement will pave the way for beef exports and live animal exports over the coming months. “Although we have had a positive outcome from today’s meeting, there are still significant hurdles for the industry to cross. We are still awaiting the decision from the June FVO mission which was to scrutinise BSE controls within GB. Brussels also needs to give approval before there can be a start of animal and beef exports. Now that we have received the green light from the FSA, I will be lobbying in Brussels for changes that will allow beef exports to recommence.
