Europe exports to be beefed up as Britain lifts ban

IRELAND will have to find new international markets for around 70,000 tonnes of beef expected to be taken off British shelves from the middle of next year.

The Blair Government has announced it is to phase out a ban on meat from cattle over 30 months entering the food chain and replace it with a robust BSE testing system.

Meat and Livestock Commission estimates in London suggest the move, following a big drop in the number of cattle being diagnosed with BSE, could release an additional 185,000 tonnes of beef to the British market in a full year.