LONDON – The British Meat Processors’ Association has asked the government to defend the country’s desinewed meat (DSM) product.

The European Commission (EC) asked the United Kingdom to put a moratorium on desinewed meat from cows and sheep. The product is made by using a low-pressure technique to remove meat from animal bones. The finished product closely resembles minced meat. The EC decided that DSM does not comply with European Union single-market legislation.

Meat producers in the UK have until April 28 to stop making DSM, a move that could cost the UK food industry £200 million (US$316.4 million), according to BMPA.