Don’t hold out for wider ban

THE English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) has agreed with the country’s Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), that the zebu gene must no longer appear in any beef or beef products that carries the Quality Standard Mark.

Research shows that tropically adapted Zebu breeds, which are widespread in Brazil, produce meat with an overall poorer eating quality and more variability than that from British or European breeds.

EBLEX has announced it reserves the right to test for the gene in products carrying the Quality Standard Mark, and will suspend businesses found in breach.