The first step to the possible removal of the BSE beef exports ban on certified herds in the North was taken by the EU Commission in Strasbourg yesterday. The Commission decided unanimously to refer Northern Ireland's case to the Standing Vets Committee. This committee is made up of vets from EU member-states.
The Agricultural Commissioner, Mr Franz Fischler, told a press conference that if the committee gave a positive decision, then there would be a further inspection and the Commission could then fix a date as to when exports could resume.
This move follows several investigations by EU veterinary and health officials working for Mr Fischler and the Consumer Commissioner, Ms Emma Bonino. Their reports indicate that herds in Northern Ireland meet the main safety criteria - cattle must be mainly grass-fed; have no BSE incidents during the last eight years or contact with BSE-contaminated herds; and all must be recorded on a computer tracing system.
Mr Fischler said it was not possible to set a date for any removal of the ban. It all depended on the decision of the vets committee. Nobody could say what decision the committee could make. Whatever the decision, this would have to go back to the Agriculture Ministers. Asked if the Commission had any target date in mind, Mr Fischler said no. He said the Commission was not trying to exert any political pressure on the situation. However, he assumed the committee would work speedily.
The Minister for Agriculture, Mr Walsh, welcomed the decision and said he had been supportive of the Northern Ireland case for a long time. He was satisfied that BSE cases in Northern Ireland were down.
Mr Jim Nicholson MEP, for Northern Ireland, also welcomed the decision. However, he said there was still some way to go and there were two or three hurdles to be got over before the ban could be removed.