I’m fed up with talking about the weather, but I can console myself with the fact we have grabbed every opportunity so far and progress is not too bad.'Smokies' could soon be legal
SMOKIES - skin-on sheepmeat - could soon be legal following a decision by the Food Standards Agency to seek Ministerial approval for the much sought after ethnic delicacy.
The FSA recommendation marks a major step forward in the process of legalising this form of sheepmeat which could bring a lucrative additional market for producers.
Market research has shown a legal trade in smokies could contribute more than £3 million to the rural economy, especially in Wales which has been at the forefront of efforts to legitimise the trade following a series of prosecutions by local trading standards officers.
Smokies are produced by blowtorching the skin and fleece of a sheep carcase.
“But now at last progress is being made,” said National Sheep Association chief executive, Peter Morris.
“There have been exhaustive tests carried out to ensure that legalising the smoking process does not place any risk to human health.
“The next step is Ministerial clearance and agreeing a way forward within the UK and possibly within Europe that ensures the legalisation process is both swift and effective.”
NSA Cymru chairman and Ceredigion beef and sheep farmer, Margaret Dalton, who has been at the forefront of moves to have smokies legalised is delighted with the breakthrough.
She and South Wales butcher and farmer, Carmello Gale, have spent countless hours over the last decade lobbying to have the product recognised.
She says demand for the product is very strong among some ethnic communities with black market operations rife in some areas, leading to fears over meat hygiene standards.
“If the product is approved, hopefully, this illegal trade will disappear and the integrity and safety of the product will improve,” she added.
“This is tremendous news and a good day for commonsense. Taking this huge step towards legalising smokies will give more positive signals to the sheep industry and move us closer to bringing another product into the range that sheepmeat fulfils.”
The NSA has also been highlighting to the authorities that legalising smokies should also help in the long running campaign to eliminate illegal importations of some ‘bush meat’ products.
If there are legal options for people to eat then the demand for these illegal products should reduce and in turn improve UK biosecurity and reduce the risk of exotic disease incursion.
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