09/07/07
Bos indicus genetics (‘zebu genes’) have
now been excluded from the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX)
Quality Standard beef scheme.
EBLEX says Zebu breeds produce meat with an
overall poorer eating quality.
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Under the new requirement, which has been agreed by Defra, the
zebu gene must not appear in any beef or beef products that carry
the Quality Standard Mark.
John Cross, EBLEX Chairman said: “The Quality Standard Mark
exists to differentiate quality beef and lamb from global commodity
product on the retail shelf.
“As part of our long term strategy, EBLEX keeps the
scheme under constant review to ensure the eating quality requirement
reflects industry developments.
“Research shows that tropically adapted Zebu breeds produce
meat with an overall poorer eating quality and more variability
than that from British or European breeds (bos taurus).
“As a result, in April our Quality Standard Technical Advisory
Committee decided to exclude zebu genetics from the scheme as confirmation
of the EBLEX commitment to eating quality.”
Members of the Quality Standard Mark Scheme are being notified of
the change.
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