The Scottish Association of Meat Wholesalers (SAMW) has welcomed the decision by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Scientific Commission to grant Scotland negligible risk status for bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE).
This decision, which suggests that Scotland has minor risk of BSE, is seen as a vitally important step for the country’s red meat industry.
The new status was approved by OIE on 25th May, following SAMW’s campaign for the purpose, which was launched early last year.
SAMW’s president, Frank Clark, commented on the development: “Scotland has lived with BSE since 1986 and meat industries have made massive efforts to manage and eradicate the disease.
“Today’s decision frees our industry to make full commercial use of Scotland’s high-health status on behalf of producers, processors and wholesalers, opening the door to fresh marketing opportunities around the world.”
Clark paid special tribute to the support that Scotland’s cabinet secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity, Fergus Ewing, and his officials, gave to the industry, noting: “Once the campaign began, the cabinet secretary, his officials and all Scotland’s food and farm bodies worked together to deliver today’s decision, which is of such great importance to the whole industry.”He added: “By confirming Scotland’s fully justified new status, the OIE has given our industry a new platform from which to rebuild.
“Our improved BSE status will remove a potential barrier to trade, unlocking sales opportunities in markets which are keen to buy Scottish meat but only accept products from negligible risk areas. We now have that status and will be seeking to renew trading routes accordingly.”
Also commenting on the decision, NFU Scotland’s Livestock Committee chairman, Charlie Adam, said: “NFU Scotland fully supported Scottish Government in its efforts to secure BSE negligible risk status and we are delighted that the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has officially recognised the BSE negligible risk status of Scotland.
“Achieving this status prior to Brexit secures the high-quality reputation of Scottish beef that is produced under the highest health standards.”
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
