The Russian Federation has agreed to increase the minimum age for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) testing for cattle slaughtered for human consumption from 48 to 72 months with effect from July 6th last, writes Seán MacConnell.
The easing of regulations should protect Ireland’s beef exports there, which reached 5,000 tonnes last year.
Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney said the regulations were now the same as those in the EU following an EU decision to increase the age of testing for intra-community trade to 72 months as of July 1st last.
The move should help “by removing a technical barrier to the export of beef from Ireland to Russia”, he said.
Gardaí charged in assault case
The trial of four gardaí charged over an alleged assault last year began at Waterford Circuit Court yesterday.
Garda Daniel Hickey, Sgt Martha McEnery and Sgt Alan Kissane, all of Waterford Garda station, were charged with assault causing harm to Anthony Holness of Belvedere Drive, Waterford, on January 29th, 2010. A fourth garda, John Burke, was charged with acting with intent to impede the apprehension or prosecution of another and acting in a manner intended to pervert the course of justice. All four have pleaded not guilty.