AS European Union veterinary experts consider lifting the ban on British beef derived gelatine today, one slaughterman has reacted to the BSE scare by opening what he claimed was Britain's first butcher's shop selling only horse meat.
Mr Bob Walker (47), who has spent 30 years in the horse slaughter trade, selling the meat to the petfood industry, is now looking to sell horse meat rather than beef to meat lovers.
Mr Walker, whose new shop is in Tollgate Market Precinct, Smethwick, West Midlands, said. "Because of the beef scare people kept on saying to me why didn't I start selling the horse meat for human consumption.
"It tastes very much like beef but slightly sweeter and is very good value at 20p a pound for the cheaper cuts and 80p for the best cuts."
Gelatine, used in a variety or products from some yogurts and confectionery to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, was affected by the total UK beef export ban imposed by the EU on March 27th.
Aspects of that ban, imposed amid fears that humans could contract CJD, the human form of BSE, is due to be considered by the EU's Scientific Veterinary Committee today.
EU officials insisted there was no question of lifting the ban entirely, at least not before the British Agriculture Minister, Mr Douglas Hogg, has submitted detailed plans for a selective slaughter policy.
The meeting in Brussels of national government veterinary officers will be concentrating instead on whether it is now necessary to keep the ban on products obtained from bovine animals, such as gelatine.