What is the significance of the “Over 30 Month” beef?
In November 2005, the UK Government was permitted to lift the ban on the sale of beef derived from cattle over 30 months of age at the time of slaughter. This had been imposed in 1996 as a consequence of the outbreak of BSE (“Mad Cow Disease”) which had started in the mid 1980s. Formerly, the most prized of prime British beef was aged at least 30 months before slaughter and this ruling struck a near death blow to that element of the domestic livestock industry remaining loyal to the time-proven, British native breeds. It is of note that there is no recorded incidence of BSE affecting either Highland or Galloway cattle. For further information concerning the BSE/vJCD story and the Over 30 month slaughter regime, please refer to: http://environment.guardian.co.uk/food/story/0,,1945374,00.html The background to this farrago is complex but various constraints on activity within the British meat trade remain. In outline, any butcher may continue to sell meat derived from animals aged under
