EU rule change set to boost UK sheep meat sector

摘要

New EU rules on the promotion of sheep meat could give an important boost to European demand, the English Beef and Lamb Executive (EBLEX) said last week. After five years of talks, the EU has amended current legislation to include lamb in the co-funded promotion of agricultural products. The new rules are due to come into force at the end of this month. Until now, EU regulations have limited promotional campaigns to fresh, chilled or frozen meat produced in accordance with community or national quality schemes. While sheep meat with Protected Geographical Indications (PGIs) and Protected Designation of Origins (PDOs) plays a positive role in enhancing the consumption of EU sheep meat, EBLEX points out that these quality schemes only cover a very limited proportion of the EU's sheep production.