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Changes to the system used for checking the age of sheep in meat factories as part of BSE regulations will not be introduced in time for the 2019 season.
Last year, following a relaxation of rules by the European Commission, Defra announced that a cut-off date would be introduced in the UK to identify sheep that are over 12 months of age.
Current rules require mouths to be checked in factories, with the carcases of sheep thought to be over 12 months split to remove the spinal cord. The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) estimates that the process costs industry £24m each year.
NFU livestock chair Richard Findlay said that a commitment was given by Defra ministers last November that the changes would be in place for this season.
“It is unacceptable that this has now been completely overturned, with no indication of when it will be implemented,” he said.
According to the National Sheep Association (NSA), government officials are concerned about the impact that introducing this change could have on the UK regaining an EU third country listing in the event of a no-deal Brexit or a delay to Brexit negotiations after March.
NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said that the U-turn has raised the issue of trust in government ministers.
“Anyone still thinking that departure from the EU will result in freeing agriculture from nonsensical rules and regulations should think again,” he said.
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