| 
             11/03/06           
              NEWS that butchers can continue the traditional practice of
                hanging and maturing beef on the bone is a relief for the industry
                says Richard Ali, Chief Executive of the English Beef and Lamb
              Executive (EBLEX). 
            
            
            It had been feared that following the harmonisation of EU beef
              rules, which included the lifting of the export ban on British
              beef, the requirement relating to the licensing of operators allowed
              to remove the vertebral column of cattle aged over two years could
              have been restricted to meat plants only. As a result, butchers
              would no longer have been able to purchase certain carcases for
            maturation on their premises. 
            After considering the detrimental effect on consumer choice, the
              Food Standards Agency (FSA ) Board yesterday decided butchers licensed
              by their local authority would be able to continue to remove the
              vertebral column of cattle aged up to 30 months.  
            This decision mirrors the practice in many other EU countries
              which successfully operate this system. 
            Richard Ali said, “This is excellent news for farmers, for
              butchers and for consumer choice.  
            “The FSA Board’s recognition that it makes sense to
              allow butchers to retain the ability to hang and mature beef on
              the bone prevents the industry losing trade worth more than £50
              million per annum.”  
              EBLEX Hails British Beef Exports
                  Move 
  Export Opportunities Open up for UK Aberdeen-Angus Cattle
               
  Top
                  Sports Back Quality Beef Mince 
            
            
           |