EU adopts anti-BSE measure
13 December 2000
EU adopts anti-BSE measure
By FWi staff
A PURCHASE and destruction scheme for cattle over 30 months has been adopted by the EU Commission, reports the Financial Times.
This has been approved by the EU management committee as part of efforts to combat BSE and respond to growing public concern in mainland Europe.
Sweden, Finalnd and Austria which are free of BSE, will be exempt from the scheme, although only tested meat can be exported elsewhere in the EU.
The UK is also exempt as it already has a similar EU-funded scheme.
Agriculture Commissioner Franz Fischler said the EU would pay 70% of purchase costs, with members paying the balance.
EU officials recently estimated that the total cost of measures agreed in the past month was between 
5-7bn in the financial year to October, says the FT.
- Bonemeal ban to cost 100m, FWi, 08 December 2000
- Top vet calls for old beef ban, FWi, 22 November 2000
- Ban stays despite BSE tests, FWi, 21 November 2000
- Financial Times 13 December 2000 page 10