Illegal exporters are warned
Illegal exporters are warned
By Bob Davies
Representatives of 47 leading European meat companies have been warned to expect tough action against those who illegally export British beef.
Farm minister Jack Cunning-ham told guests at British Meats ANUGA Food Fair dinner in Cologne that he was very angry indeed, and would not mind "personally removing the specified risk material" of irresponsible people who undermined efforts to get the beef export ban lifted.
As this was not possible, he had taken very tough powers that allowed the courts to sentence perpetrators for up to two years imprisonment. One plant had been closed and its licence revoked. The message to unscrupulous shippers was to watch out, as he would not hesitate to use all available laws.
However, Dr Cunningham criticised the European Commission for allowing evidence to be destroyed by revealing a fraud ring at a Press conference.
He also assured the 250 guests that he had urged other EU ministers to deal severely with willing buyers in their countries.
The UK was meeting the conditions of the Florence agreement for the lifting of the ban. The minister gained sustained applause when he described British beef as the safest in Europe. Over £3bn had been spent combating BSE, and he challenged officials of any other government to check the stringent regulations, and ask any questions about the safeguards now in place.
But he admitted that he was frustrated by the time it took to get other EU countries to make progress towards acceptance of the modified certified herds scheme and date-based export scheme. There was he insisted no way that he could predict when the ban would be lifted.