Danish beef exports hit hard by BSE crisis

Fear of mad cow disease has caused a major crisis in the Danish beef industry, as such traditional European Union markets as Italy, Spain and Germany have collapsed.

Denmark's largest meat producer, Danish Crown, described the situation as serious, saying $250 million of export revenues were now at risk.

"The market has hit rock bottom. It has above all collapsed in such important markets as Italy, Spain and Germany, which used to import meat worth $190 million," said Danish Crown manager Lorenz Hansen.

He said Danish beef exports were also hit hard by a ban of European beef imposed by several countries in Asia and the Middle East.

"Russia is actually the only country which buys Danish beef. All other markets are non-existent. The situation is very grave," Hansen added.

According to the Danish financial newspaper Boersen, meat producers across Europe are now trying to sell their products to Russia.

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