'Resumption of beef exports a welcome move'

With the 10 year ban on beef exports due to be lifted tomorrow, Roger Williams MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesman for Food and Rural Affairs has welcomed the move.

Commenting on the resumption of exports, Roger said:

"As a result, UK beef can now be exported to several EU Member States and will represent a great opportunity for the British beef industry, opening up new and much-needed markets on the Continent and giving beef farmers the capacity to increase their production considerably. In 1995, the year before the ban, beef exports amounted to nearly 275,000 tonnes, worth £600m. Live cattle exports were worth a further £75m, with 426,000 calves and 10,500 older cattle being shipped abroad.

The lifting of the ban also means that live calf exports will resume. Taking into account the controversial nature of these exports, I would only support such an action when animal welfare was given top priority and the whole process done to the highest possible standards. It has been 10 years since the ban was implemented, and over this time concerns for the welfare and transportation of livestock have quite properly increased dramatically. EU welfare requirements of a maximum nine hours' driving, one hour's rest and then a further maximum of nine hours' driving time have been set and must be adhered to, as proposed by businesses such as the Anglo European Farmers co-operative. Strict policing methods will be upheld, and anyone failing to comply should be stopped trading immediately."