Regulations laid before Parliament today will allow slaughterhouses approved for export under the Date-based Export Scheme (DBES) to despatch bone-in beef to the domestic market.
Under current legislation, slaughterhouses and cutting plants approved under the DBES are prohibited from despatching bone-in beef even where the beef is intended for the UK market. These new regulations will bring export approved plants into line with other slaughterhouses and cutting plants which may despatch bone-in beef to the UK market following the lifting of the beef on the bone ban last year.
This will provide welcome increased flexibility to DBES approved plants.
The Bovines and Bovine Products (Trade) Regulations 1999 permit the export of boneless beef under the Date-based Export Scheme in Great Britain. The Bovines and Bovine Products (Trade) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2000 amend these regulations to permit DBES approved slaughterhouses and cutting plants in England to despatch bone-in beef to the domestic market. Similar amending legislation is being introduced in Scotland and Wales. Separate legislation is being made in Northern Ireland.
The Date-based Export Scheme is open to all abattoir operators in the UK who can meet the conditions of the scheme. Applications should be made to the Divisional Veterinary Manager of the local Animal Health Divisional Office. The DBES helpline (01452-336900) can also give advice to potential applicants on the rules of the scheme.