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UK, Ireland demand beef cash

- 01 February 2001
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1 February 2001



UK, Ireland demand beef cash

By Isabel Davies

BRITISH and Irish farmers leaders have called for extra cash to dispose of unwanted beef after accusing politicians of mishandling Europes BSE crisis.

The demand came as European food safety commissioner David Bryne announced further measures to counter a lack of public confidence in beef.

Presidents of the English, Welsh, Scottish, Irish and Ulster farm unions met in Belfast to discuss their next moves on Thursday (1 February).

With BSE top of the agenda, the group called for immediate measures to address the collapse of the beef market in parts of the Europe Union.

The five presidents demanded the immediate introduction of a compulsory purchase for destruction scheme in every affected member state.

They also called for the introduction of an EU-funded calf processing scheme to remove calves in countries with severe beef over-supply problems.

This would help the future balance of the beef market, claimed the unions.

It was important to maintain beef production from suckler herds which deliver the sort of extensively reared, safe, quality meat consumers demand, they said.

The unions said they would oppose any adjustment to Suckler Cow Premium entitlements or stocking rates eligible for Extensification Premium payment.

Their statement came as European food safety commissioner David Byrne warned that further safety measures for beef could be introduced within a week.

Individual countries may be asked to produce monthly reports showing that they are fully implementing BSE controls, he told MEPs in Brussels.

Only Britain and Portugal are currently required to file such reports.

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