Scotch beef back on the menu in Canada 24 YEARS after ban

SCOTCH beef is being sold in Canada for the first time in nearly 24 years.

The export of British beef was banned in 1996 amid fears over the threat of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), so-called mad cow disease.

But Aberdeen Angus is now on the menu at a steakhouse in Toronto, ontario. Jacobs & Co is the first Canadian restaurant to sell our beef since the ban was imposed.

Speciality grocer Denninger’s has also introduced Scotch beef to its fresh meat counters in five stores in the region.

An outbreak of BSE led to the deaths of 177 people who contracted the fatal neurodegenerative disease CreutzfeldtJakob from the infected meat.

Millions of cattle across the UK were slaughtered, with beef farmers making massive losses.

The worldwide ban was lifted in 2006, but some countries kept it in place – including Canada.

Following a lengthy process of inspections and negotiations, Scotch beef is now available in Canada, despite remaining limited. It is thought the new market could be worth millions for beef farmers in Scotland, with exports currently worth more than £46million to the country’s economy.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: ‘I’m delighted that after 24 years, Scotch beef is now available in a Canadian restaurant and can be bought in stores alongside some of the finest global produce.’ Canada lifted its ban on UK beef in 2015 but before Scotch beef could be exported it had to undergo a lengthy inspection and approval process by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

A ‘market entry strategy’ to support the sale of Scotch beef in Canada was then undertaken by Scottish authorities.

Danny McCallum, executive chef at Jacobs & Co, said: ‘I was impressed by the quality and standards of the beef industry in Scotland, and excited that we are the first restaurant in Canada to have Scotch beef on the menu.’

Alan Clarke, the chief executive of Quality Meat Scotland, said: ‘It is fantastic news and having Scotch beef on the shelves in Canada is hugely important for our industry.’

‘Hugely important for our industry’