And there's been criticism that the EU's Common Agriculture Policy has actively subsidised what have since been exposed as dangerous practices on beef farms and in slaughterhouses. And all along, national interests have prevented uniform measures being introduced. As this report shows, it's a home-made problem. Up to now, the EU has protected its cattle farmers with a system of quotas, standards and restrictions. This system has not necessarily been to the benefit of the consumer.
Obsolete standards mean that healthy, low-fat and low cholesterol cattle never come to market.
Consumers information is poor. Clarity is lost inside a thicket of bureocracy and regulation. A modern, consumer-friendly beef industry has been rendered impossible.