BEEF could soon be back on the menu in Bolton schools.

Councillors will today consider lifting the beef ban imposed over four years ago.

Beef was taken off the menu in December 1995 at the height of fears over humans contracting mad cow disease through eating infected meat.

But councillors will be told strict safety checks introduced since March 1996 have changed the BSE situation.

Controls

Officials say the decision to lift the export ban on British beef is evidence of how successful the measures have been.

And they recommend that Bolton schools are allowed to serve beef providing the supplier meets strict safety criteria and children have a choice not to eat it. The report concludes: "The tighter controls now in place enable us to ask for a more detailed product specification from our suppliers and, as a result of this, it is proposed to re-introduce into secondary school choice cafeterias and primary schools where a choice menu is available.

"This step would still support any parents who may still feel more comfortable with the current arrangements."

Councillors will be asked to approve beef from suppliers licensed and approved by the European Commission.

Mechanically recovered meat will remain banned and specifications will lay down meat and fat contents for minced beef, beef burgers, sausages and stewing steak.

Bury lifted the beef ban in schools last year.

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