Commission Press Release (IP/02/1419), 2 October 2002
David Byrne, Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection, commented today on the decision of the French government to lift the embargo on British beef: "I welcome the decision of the French government to lift the ban. I am glad that the validity of the EU scientific opinion has been vindicated."
Since 1 August 1999 British beef can be exported under the so-called DBES system (date-based export scheme) which sets strict conditions (for example only deboned meat of bovines between 6-30 months of age complying with very detailed requirements and originating in dedicated meat plants).