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Govt may lift ban on import of beef from UK

ISLAMABAD: The government is considering to lift ban on the import of livestock, beef and its derivatives from the United Kingdom (UK).

Sources said that UK has requested the government of Pakistan to lift ban on beef import.

The government imposed ban on the import of livestock, beef and its derivatives from UK and northern Ireland in July 1998 amid reports of mad cow diseases.

The UK has mentioned in its communique that the European Commission had announced on July 14, 1999 that the export of the UK beef and allied products produced under the Data Base Export Scheme (DBSE) could start from August 1, 1999.

The country does not import livestock or meat from abroad only Friesian and New Jersey cows are imported for cross breeding purposes to improve and uplift the genetic potential of local nondescript cows, the sources said.

UK wants to lift the ban so as to use it as a diplomatic tool against those European countries which are still reluctant to lift the ban on the import of UK beef, despite the recommendations of European Commission, the sources added.

The matter will be submitted to the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet for decision. APP