BRITISH BEEF IS FIRMLY BACK ON THE TABLE CLAIMS KEETCH

1.31.54pm GMT Mon 20th Mar 2006

West Midlands Liberal Democrats MP Paul Keetch has received confirmation from two Government Ministers that British beef will be back on the table in British embassies and military bases in Europe.

Mr Keetch asked a series of parliamentary questions to the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw MP and the Defence secretary, Dr John Reid MP encouraging their Departments to purchase and serve British beef abroad.

The MP for Hereford's campaign to get British beef back on the table has also won support from the Farming Minister, Lord Willy Bach and Nick Allen of the English Beef and Lamb Executive.

"This announcement is just what the British beef industry wanted to here," said Mr Keetch. "Farmers in the UK have suffered terribly from the effects of the BSE outbreak in the 1990s. I am delighted that two major Government departments have taken this issue on board and are actively now choosing British beef."

Commenting on the decision, the Foreign Office Minister, Douglas Alexander MP said "British embassies, High Commissions and other diplomatic missions in Europe actively profile British products, including in their commercial and other events. In deciding what food to serve at official functions, each EU post must balance the promotional benefits of serving UK produce with cost and availability. Our missions will continue to serve UK produce, including British beef…"

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

Paul Keetch MP has tabled an Early Day Motion on British Beef which has attracted support from over 40 members. Full details can be found on www.parliament.uk