Strasbourg
THE EC's ban on the milk boosting drug BST has been renewed for a
further seven years, amid fears of a consumer backlash against both milk
and beef.
EC Agriculture Commissioner Rene Steichen also warned of a damaging
rationalisation of farming if he authorised the drug, leading to
thousands of smaller farmers in the poorest regions being driven out of
business.
Attempts to overturn the ban were spearheaded by drug companies
Monsanto and Eli Lilly, with the backing of senior EC veterinary and
scientific consultants. Reports concluded in recent weeks that banning
the drug could not be justified on health or ethical grounds.
But Mr Steichen said the long-term impact of the drug -- which can
boost yields by up to 20% -- would be to concentrate production in the
hands of the biggest milk quota holders.
He added that the already troubled beef market would also be thrown
into further turmoil, as slaughtered dairy herds would be replaced by
beef breed cows.
Mr Steichen rejected pleas from the pharmaceutical industry for a
labelling system which could allow consumers to distinguish between
regular milk and that obtained using BST.
''BST would inevitably tarnish the image of a product which is at
present considered natural, wholesome, and of a high quality,'' he said.
Meanwhile, Brussels has launched a crackdown on cruel treatment of farm
animals during transport.
A statement says there was ''ample evidence that animals are often
transported long distances in poor and overcrowded conditions.''
The new rules, which must be approved by the 12 EC Agriculture
Ministers, would impose strict rest, feeding, and watering intervals,
and limit the numbers of animals in any given vehicle. Hauliers will
have to draw up a detailed itinerary, to make spot checks by inspectors
easier.
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