Canada has lifted a 19-year ban on import of beef from the European Union, which was imposed due to mad cow disease epidemic.
The European Commission along with the 19 member states are working on to resume the exports of beef to the Canadian market.
EU Health and Food Safety Commissioner Andriukaitis, Trade Commissioner Malmström and Agriculture Commissioner Hogan was quoted by Food Ingredients First as saying: "It will provide a welcome boost to Europe's beef producers and exporters, particularly as it comes at a time when farmers across the EU are going through a particularly difficult period."
Canada's decision to lift the ban comes as a huge relief for EU beef producers, who are looking for markets given that Russia has imposed a ban of EU products.
Before finalising a decision on lifting the ban, Canada had reviewed the meat inspection systems in four EU states to ensure bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is no more a risk, CBC News reported.
BSE is a brain and nervous-system disease that affects several animal. It is caused by rogue proteins called prions. This disease affects the brain and the spinal cord tissues and enters into the human food supply through infected cow meat. It, however, does not spread through milk.
The EU markets in turn had imposed a ban on Canadian beef due to use of hormones in cattle.
Last month, EU and Canada engaged in a free trade discussion which saw them come to a tentative agreement on beef and pork.
