This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Moves to get beef export ban lifted
26/04/2005
The European Commission has indicated that it will work with the Executive to make progress in lifting the beef ban to Europe.
Agriculture Minister Ross Finnie pressed home the importance for Scotland of resuming exports of Scottish beef in a meeting with the new European Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection.
Mr Finnie met Commissioner Kyprianou who indicated that the Commission will work with the UK government and devolved administrations to make early progress in lifting the Over Thirty Months (OTM) rule which could pave the way for a resumption of beef exports.
Speaking from Luxembourg, Mr Finnie said:
"The Commission stressed the crucial importance of the forthcoming Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) inspection in June.
"Subject to the findings of the FVO, the Commission indicated a real willingness for us all to work together to achieve not only a satisfactory lifting of the OTM rule but also an early resumption of beef exports."
The EU Beef Ban was first imposed in March 1996 and still remains in force.
Beef Exports to the Community currently remain strictly regulated under the Date Based Export Scheme.