Germany to cull 400,000 cattle


1 February 2001



Germany to cull 400,000 cattle

By FWI staff

GERMANY has agreed to slaughter 400,000 cattle aged 30 months or over in a bid to slow down the supply of unwanted beef, reports The Daily Telegraph.

Sales have plummeted by as much as 80% since the country was hit by near-hysteria over BSE after the first cases were confirmed in November.

The plan, which was approved by the cabinet and supported by the farmers union, is in line with an EU initiative to destroy 1.5 million older cattle.

Half of the 200m cost will be met by Brussels.

The Telegraph says accepting the need for such action must be galling to for a country which until recently claimed to be BSE-free.

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