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British beef back on the menu
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Burger Chain Ends Ban on British Beef
Fast food restaurant chain McDonalds has ended its 15-month-old ban on
British beef.
The move, a major boost for livestock farmers, came after a meeting between McDonalds and the Agriculture Minister, Jack Cunningham. McDonalds managing director Andrew Taylor said research showed that 74 per cent of consumers now wanted the company to sell British beef.
Mr Taylor said, "We will begin buying it immediately and the new supplies will start to be served in restaurants over the next few weeks."
Dr Cunningham welcomed the announcement, saying: "This is good news for
farmers, the food industry and consumers. British beef goes through the strictest controls in the world and it most
certainly can be eaten with confidence."
Dr Cunningham pledged to continue urging the European Union to lift its export ban on British beef.
Farmers also warmly welcomed the decision. The President of the Farmers Union of Wales, Bob Parry, said: "McDonald's decision means
our industry can take a tremendous stride forward.
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British beef to go
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The American-based food chain banned British beef in March last year amid
fears that the human brain disease CJD could be caught from eating BSE-infected
meat. The National Consumer Council says people should remain cautious about eating beef until they have enough evidence to be sure that it is safe.
Ruth Evans, Director of the National Consumer Council
When the ban was imposed, McDonalds was buying 7,000 cattle every week at a cost of £25 million -- the equivalent of one in 12 of all cows going to market for slaughter. After the BSE scare, McDonalds switched to imported beef, mainly from Ireland and Holland.
The burger market is particularly important for meat producers because it absorbs parts of the animal for which there is otherwise little demand.
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