Cologne show bans British beef
12 October 1999
Cologne show bans British beef
By Philip Clarke, Europe Editor
BRITISH beef has been banned from a flagship display by the Meat and Livestock Commission at Europes leading food fair, in Cologne, Germany.
Despite the European Union decision to lift the ban, German officials have been slow to pass the legislation that would allow British beef to be sold in the country.
“The authorities said we could take beef with us to the show, but we would not be able to cook it or offer it for consumption,” said Terry Lee of MLC.
“We did not see the point in showing it to customers in plastic bags.”
The MLC will instead concentrate on pushing home the message about the safety of British beef at the ANUGA food fair this week.
It has organised a briefing of German officials, consumers and journalists to explain again the measures in place to protect the public.
Mr Lee added that the recent French action against British beef could stiffen German resolve to uphold their ban.