Positive decision on Vertebral column

AN EU decision which will make life a bit easier for the beef industry is a snippet of good news in these difficult times says the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX).

The EU Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH) has voted to increase the age for removal of bovine vertebral column from 24 months to 30 months.

The decision will now be subject to the statutory three-month scrutiny process by the European Parliament. Providing there are no issues it could be published in the January edition of the Official Journal - coming into effect three days after publication.

EBLEX Chief Executive Richard Ali said: "This is good news for those in the industry that choose to process animals aged 24 to 30 months because it improves their ability to compete.

"It is also good news for shoppers because it will see an increase in the availability of traditional bone-in cuts of beef from local producers - such as the popular T-bone steak and the full bone-in rib of beef - in high street butchers shops, supermarket serve-over counters and on restaurant and pub menus."