UK exports beef recommence
The UK has exported its first shipment of beef since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at the beginning of 2001. The consignment was exported from Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales, to the Netherlands under a plan that allows exports of fresh beef and beef products from British cattle born after August 1996.
Food and Farming Minister Lord Whitty said that, following the implementation of strict safety guidelines, British meat produce is now amongst the safest in the world. The consignment is to be received by a major Dutch catering trade supplier and was labelled ‘Welsh’ in an attempt to overcome the stigma attached to British beef.
France is the only European Union country to maintain an embargo on British beef and has been condemned by the European Court of Justice for ignoring EU demands to end the restrictions.
