British meat exports resume

The meat has been sent for export to Germany

The first consignment of British meat to head for Europe since the foot-and-mouth outbreak has been loaded up at an abattoir in Scotland.

The pork was due to be exported to Germany and was loaded up under the watchful eye of a European vet who had overseen the slaughtering and sealed the consignment ready for its journey.

Alan Kirkwood, operations manager at AK Stoddart, of Ayr, said a rigorous procedure had to be followed.

Alan Kirkwood: Rigorous process

He said: "The vehicles had been inspected and the livestock was inspected on the farm.

"Those vehicles were then sealed prior to leaving the farm by (agriculture) ministry vets.

"They arrived here and again were then checked and the seals were broken by ministry vets prior to processing the animals for export."

Scottish Rural Affairs Minister Ross Finnie had announced that meat from the abattoir would be the first to be sent from anywhere in the UK following a decision by Brussels.

The decision recently re-established links between Britain and other member states for pig meat and beef exports.

Mr Finnie said: "We fought hard to persuade member states to agree to a resumption of pig meat and beef exports.

"It is important that the opportunity to re-establish trade links is taken up where this is commercially viable."

Mr Finnie promised that strenuous efforts would be made at next week's standing veterinary committee in Brussels to get the decision on the resumption of exports extended to include lamb and venison.