The news follows the WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) formally reclassifying the UK in May 2025, a significant achievement after decades of stringent controls, surveillance, and compliance across the livestock sector.
Last week, the process moved one step closer, as the PAFF Committee (Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed) meeting on 20 October confirmed unanimous support from Member States.
This sends a clear signal of the confidence international partners place in the UK’s disease monitoring, food safety, and traceability systems. It reinforces the safety and integrity of British beef production and strengthens the UK’s reputation for high-quality, high-welfare food.
What happens next?
While the vote is a major step forward, there are more steps before UK processors can take full advantage of renewed opportunities in European markets.
“This announcement delivers a much-needed boost for producers and the wider supply chain.”
NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton
The EU must now amend legislation to reflect the UK’s new status, with changes expected to be published at the end of November. Until then, meat processors must continue to operate under existing Controlled Risk rules.
Opening new markets and reducing waste
Negligible risk status will help unlock valuable export opportunities and remove long-standing trade restrictions. Fifth-quarter products and some high-value bone-in-cuts, highly sought after in some markets but not widely consumed in Britain, could once again be exported, adding further value to the supply chain.
The news follows the WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health) formally reclassifying the UK in May 2025, a significant achievement after decades of stringent controls, surveillance, and compliance across the livestock sector.
Last week, the process moved one step closer, as the PAFF Committee meeting on 20 October confirmed unanimous support from Member States. This sends a clear signal of the confidence international partners place in the UK’s disease monitoring, food safety, and traceability systems.
It reinforces the safety and integrity of British beef production and strengthens the UK’s reputation for high-quality, high-welfare food.
This will cut unnecessary cost and complexity from the supply chain, ease market access, and support long-term growth in domestic and export trade.
The change should also reduce waste disposal costs. One example is mesenteric fat, currently classed as waste and incinerated at business cost. Once eligible for export, it could deliver an estimated additional £10m per year to the sector.
Aligning EU legislation with the globally recognised WOAH standards will help secure confidence from other trading partners and open doors for additional export agreements, particularly at a time when global supply is tight and demand for high-quality beef continues to rise.
Strengthening confidence in British beef
The legacy of BSE was profound, affecting farmers, markets, and public trust. This milestone demonstrates just how far the UK has come. Through world-leading traceability, animal feed controls, surveillance and biosecurity, British beef is now considered among the safest and most trusted in the world.
The decision should give producers renewed confidence to invest, expand, and continue delivering high-quality, forage-based British beef. It recognises that UK standards are not just maintained, but world leading and should give international customers the confidence to source high-quality British beef.
To capitalise on this advantage, the sector now needs government, retailers, and exporters to champion British beef at home and abroad.
The NFU Livestock Board’s Beef Vision 2035 provides a clear pathway for growth, resilience, and value.
With global beef supply tightening and demand increasing, the negligible risk classification strengthens the UK’s competitive position and supports the NFUs push for sustainability, market resilience, and international growth.
Notifiable animal disease
Farmers and livestock owners are still urged to remain vigilant for BSE disease. BSE is a notifiable animal disease. If you suspect it, you must report it immediately by calling the Defra Rural Services helpline on 03000 200 301. In Wales, contact 0300 303 8268.
