Scottish Beef - Dragged down by the Union
The current crisis about 'British' beef, BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) and its link with CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease) is further proof that the Union with England is disastrous for Scotland.
The crisis mainly affects English dairyherd cattle which have been fed BSE infected offal and contracted 'Mad Cow Disease'. This has entered the food chain by the use of this meat for cheap hamburgers, sausages, pies etc.. This was a direct result of Conservative Government policy to deregulate the trade, leading to a lessening of standards in the abattoir and feedstuff industries.
By contrast, Prime Quality Scottish Beef herds are unaffected by these practices, being raised on natural foods in a clean natural environment.
The 'British' tag is unfairly damaging the reputation of the Quality Scottish Beef industry, in fact although Scotland has about 20% of the UK's beef output, it has recorded less than 5% of BSE cases.
The Republic of Ireland (unlike the British Government) introduced a positive programme of slaughter and compensation many years ago to protect the reputation of its meat industry. If Scotland were Independent from Westminster rule, we too could have acted to protect our industry.
Sadly Scotland, under the incompetent misrule of London, has suffered. Hundreds of jobs are vanishing as a result of the Union.
If you have any comments (good or bad) on these pages contact
hamish@rmplc.co.uk.
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