New hopes for Beef exports

FALLING cases of BSE could herald the easing of export restrictions on British beef and give the industry a boost says the Meat and Livestock Commission.

The world organisation for animal health, the OIE (Office International des Epizooties), has amended its classification of the BSE risk in countries worldwide.

This should lead to a lowering of the risk status in Great Britain by early 2004. The rules are an important step in the process to put GB on an equal footing with other EU countries in terms of its BSE status.

The ultimate aim would be for Great Britain to be able to export beef under the same rules as the rest of the EU. At present exports are restricted

under the Date-Based Export Scheme.

MLC International Manager Peter Hardwick said: "Before the BSE crisis exports of beef were a very important part of our international trade but current EU rules still severely restrict our capacity to export.

"If, as a consequence of the OIE rule change, full access is regained for all our beef, this will be excellent news for the British beef industry."