EU vets have paved the way for the return of British T-bone steaks to Europe when the beef export ban is lifted in early 2006. The Brussels veterinary committee recommended on Wednesday that the age of cattle from which beef on the bone can be sold across Europe will be raised from 12 months to 24 months. The recommendation must be ratified by the European Commission before it becomes law. NFUS has welcomed this as a further step to returning the Scottish beef industry to a normal trading environment.

In 2001, the EU ruled that the vertebral column would have to be removed from all cattle aged over 12 months, which effectively closed the market for T-bone steaks. Within the UK, beef on the bone could still be sold from animals aged up 30 months because of the operation of the Over Thirty Months Scheme.

Whilst the preference would be for T-bone steak to be sold from animals aged up to 30 months, NFUS accepts that EU vets have recommended a 24 month limit, albeit subject to review.

Exports of beef from the UK have been effectively banned since 1996. However, the European Commission has now recommended the export ban be lifted and restrictions are expected to be removed early next year. This latest ruling ensures that beef on the bone can can be added to the potential UK export list.

NFUS Vice President David Mitchell said:

"This is good news and a further step towards normality for the Scottish beef industry. The 24-month ruling is lower than we have been operating in the UK, but crucially, we will be back on an equal footing with our EU counterparts when export markets re-open.

"This is another tick in the box as we gear ourselves up for the long-awaited lifting of the export ban.

"There is an ongoing issue regarding who is licensed to remove vertebral column. In some member states, butchers are licensed to do so, whereas in the UK the recommendation is that it can only be done in licensed cutting plants. A government consultation on this aspect is expected shortly."

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