Brussels rewards farms withrare breed of BSE-free cattle

23 June 1998

Brussels rewards farms with
rare breed of BSE-free cattle

THE European Union is to reward farmers who produce beef from an ancient breed of cattle that has never been linked to BSE.

Owners of Kerry cattle can claim up to £143 a head in Suckler Cow Premium from 1 July. The Kerry is a rare and relatively small black breed with horns that evolved in Ireland.

It was regarded for decades by the EU as a dairy animal and therefore not entitled to subsidy.

It is also one of the few breeds of cattle in Britain that has never suffered a case of BSE. There are estimated to be only 100 Kerry breeding cows in Britain and 400 in the Republic of Ireland.

• The Daily Telegraph 23/06/98 page 8