The Ulster Unionist Party’s Assembly Chief Whip, Robbie Butler MLA, has called for clarity from the UK Government as a matter of urgency, following news that the European Commission is poised to lift its ban on feeding animal remains to farm livestock.

Robbie Butler said:

“The issues raised by the European Commission’s plan to lift its ban on feeding animal remains to farm livestock have potentially very serious implications for Northern Ireland farmers and consumers.

“I am extremely concerned at the prospect of using dead animal protein to feed table-bound animal produce. The impact of BSE - “Mad Cow Disease” - on farms and butcher shops in the 1990s still remains as a very stark reminder as to why this practice shouldn’t be allowed here in Northern Ireland. I worked in a small butcher’s shop at that time and I am very aware of the financial and life changing impact on businesses the length and breadth of NI. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) since the 1980s has ensured strict controls are in place in the UK to protect people from BSE. These reduce the risk of eating beef or meat products that might be infected with BSE. We all agree that Agri-Foods is something that sets Northern Ireland at the top of the quality stakes and this must not be diluted to appease a lesser EU standard.

“Lord Empey has tabled a number of questions at Westminster to seek clarification from the Minister for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and this is urgently required.

“If the EU wants to lift its ban that is of course a matter for the EU. However, given the confusion caused by the NI Protocol, we in Northern Ireland need absolute clarity and certainty that this move by the EU has no impact on our highly prized Agri-food sector.

“Any suggestion that our agriculture or food standards could be inferior to the rest of the UK would have a devastating impact on our sales to Great Britain and once that trust is lost it could take us many years to get it back. It simply cannot be allowed to happen here.”