NFU Scotland has welcomed the confirmation today from the Food Standards Agency that the BSE testing regime has been successfully trialled and is able operate across the UK.  If Ministers accept the FSA recommendation, the testing regime will replace the Over Thirty Months Scheme (OTMS) which prevents older cattle from entering the food chain.  Under the timescale envisaged, this decision today could pave the way for the return of older beef to the UK market in the next three months.

Work continues in parallel to secure the re-opening of the UK's beef export market, which has been effectively closed since 1996.  European Commission officials inspected UK controls in June and this is expected to lead to proposals to unwind the UK's export restrictions, allowing it to trade normally with the rest of Europe.  NFUS has stressed the importance of exports restrictions being removed as soon as possible after the OTMS is unwound.

NFUS Vice President David Mitchell said:

"The FSA recommendation is excellent news and is one of the final steps towards replacing the Over Thirty Months Scheme.  The Scottish beef industry has been hindered by domestic and export trade restrictions for nine years.  There is now light at the end of the tunnel and hope that the industry can finally enjoy a normal trading environment.

"It is right that time has been taken to ensure the BSE testing regime is rigorously trialled and I am pleased that the independent scientific group has now confirmed that it is robust and ready for operation.

"It may take time until there is sufficient abattoir capacity to deal with this extra beef coming back on the market and the FSA recommendation that a disposal scheme should remain in place until that is achieved is extremely important.

"It is vital that the OTMS remains open until there are enough plants on line, the market has adjusted and exports are re-opened.  Work to reopen exports is a top priority and, together with the full reopening of the domestic market, this will ensure that the Scottish beef industry can finally put this long, difficult period behind it."

• The OTMS has been in operation since 1996.  In July 2004, the FSA advised Ministers that the scheme should be replaced with a robust BSE testing regime.  In December 2004, an independent group was established to advise on the testing and has now concluded that work.
  
• Whilst the OTMS will be replaced by the BSE testing system, the principle food safety measures will remain in place.  This includes the removal of Specified Risk Material (SRM), such as spinal cord, from all cattle and a ban on all cattle born before August 1996 entering the food chain.
  
• Discussions continue between industry and government on the scheme to dispose of cattle born before August 1996.
  
• The export of British beef was banned in 1996.  Despite a partial re-opening from 1999, the restrictions have largely prevented any exports into Continental Europe.  EU officials inspected the UK controls in June 2005 and proposals to remove the remaining export restrictions are expected to be tabled in Brussels very shortly.