Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 1/16/17



The United States announced an end to a ban on imports of French beef that was in place for 19 years on concerns over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), the European Commission said Friday.

France becomes the fourth European country under BSE-related restrictions to receive the nod from the U.S., which earlier reopened to Ireland, Lithuania and the Netherlands.

The European Commission welcomed the decision, calling it “excellent news for French producers.” The body said it will continue to work all EU member states to gain equal access to the U.S. market

The U.S. imposed a ban on EU beef, sheep and goat meat in January 1998 amid Europe’s BSE crisis.

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