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Animals face an EU ban: dead or alive

4th August 1994, Page 6
4th August 1994
Page 6
Page 6, 4th August 1994 — Animals face an EU ban: dead or alive
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by Elizabeth Daly • British meat hauliers have been hit with a double blow this week which seriously threatens the future of beef carcass and live animal exports.

The first is a threatened ban of livestock transport on P&O ferries (see panel, below).

And the second is an extension to the whole of the European Union of the ban on exporting chilled beef carcasses because of fears over mad cow disease (BSE).

The impact of ban, which came into effect last Friday (29 July), is having an immediate effect on some reefer operators' smaller subcontractors.

Because abattoirs have lost a significant market overnight, subcontractors are being laid off by larger operators who hold contracts with meat processing plants.

Richard Lattimer, contracts controller for Exel Logistics, the haulier contracted to the Meat Distribution Centre in Port Lethen, Aberdeen, says the firm laid off two subcontractors two days after the ban came in. A Meat & Livestock Commission spokesman says the ban could stay in force for years: "It will be some time before all dairy herds are certified safe from BSE. There is likely to be significant disruption to everyone involved in the export chain." Carcass beef transport is a multi-million trade for meat hauliers. And exports are worth more than £305m yearly. The ban now in force across Europe covers the import of British cattle carcasses which come from herds that cannot guarantee they have been free of BSE for the past six years.


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