Welcome announcement for beleaguered beef industry
15 September 2005
Jim Allister MEP has welcomed the announcement made today by DEFRA, that will allow over thirty month cattle into the food chain, and believes that the industry is starting to come to an end to the BSE crisis that has had a major impact on the industry for over the last 10 years.
Jim Allister commented, “The announcement from DEFRA, that will allow UK cattle born after August 1996 to enter the food chain is welcome news for the beleaguered Northern Ireland beef industry. This is a necessary step which is required before the long standing beef export ban can be lifted on cattle from the UK. The changing of the Over Thirty Months scheme should in particular help the fortunes of the Northern Ireland suckler cow industry. Currently quality animals that are over thirty months are worth significantly more in other regions of Europe compared to over 30 month cattle from Northern Ireland.
“I will now be pressing for the European Commission to lift the beef ban as soon as possible. Although the UK market is still one of the most lucrative markets throughout Europe, the removing of the beef export ban will allow Northern Ireland cattle and beef cuts to get into the best paying markets throughout the world. It will also allow for greater competition which can only be good for Northern Ireland farmers.”
