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Bos indicus genetics ('zebu genes') have now been excluded from the English
Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) Quality Standard beef scheme. Under the
new requirement, which has been agreed by Defra (the British Government’s
agriculture department), the zebu gene must not appear in any beef or
beef products that carry the Quality Standard Mark.
John Cross, EBLEX Chairman said: "The Quality Standard Mark exists
to differentiate quality beef and lamb from global commodity product
on the retail shelf. "As part of our long term strategy, EBLEX keeps
the scheme under constant review to ensure the eating quality requirement
reflects industry developments. "Research shows that the tropically
adapted zebu breeds produce meat with an overall poorer eating quality
and more variability than that from British or European breeds (bos taurus). "As
a result, in April our Quality Standard Technical Advisory Committee
decided to exclude zebu genetics from the scheme as confirmation of the
EBLEX commitment to eating quality."
EBLEX has also announced it reserves the right to test for the gene in
products carrying the Quality Standard Mark and, if found, will suspend
the business concerned from the Quality Standard scheme. The appropriate
authorities will also be notified regarding any misrepresentation of
the product. The EBLEX Quality Standard Mark Scheme is the only beef
and lamb assurance scheme to carry an eating quality requirement. Its
other standards are based on existing farm and food-chain assurance schemes
- such as Assured Food Standards.
The eating quality criteria are based on the age of the animal at slaughter
and the season of slaughter for sheep. It also includes appropriate
maturation processes where appropriate. Over 2,500 businesses are
currently members
of the Quality Standard Mark Scheme, including wholesalers, hotels,
independent butchers and well-known multiple retailers. Members are
being notified
of the change.
EBLEX is an industry-funded organisation that acts to help the English
beef and lamb industry boost its competitiveness and promote its products.
It aims are to encourage better returns for the English beef and lamb
industry, to stimulate a profitable demand for quality beef and lamb
and to champion the development of a sustainable industry through improved
profitability.
Find out more at www.eblex.org.uk
[7 July 07]
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