European Union gives definitive green light.
After more than seven long years, Italian consumers (and not only) can once again eat the traditional ''fiorentina'' steak obtained from cows at least 30 months old. The decision to raise the age from 24 to 30 months came from the European Commission and is the result of dedication on the part of Italian farmers that have always been committed to the highest quality, safety and authenticity.
European commissioner of health, Androulla Vassiliou, affirmed, ''Today's decision is yet another reflection of the progress Europe has made in fighting BSE [Mad Cow Disease]''. He proclaimed his trust that ''the high level of protection of the consumers furnished by our regulations against BSE will be maintained now and in the years to come''.
It is the end of ''food prohibition'', observed Colidiretti, convinced that the decision is the correct ''recognition for the farmers who invested in quality, traceability, authenticity and safety of the product''.
Cia-Confederazione Italiana Agricoltori, the Italian farmers confederation, welcomes the provisions that will go into effect over the next few days, after the publication in the official European newspaper.
Cia reminds consumers that this means they can once again eat the ''true'' fiorentina steak. It also definitively brings to an end the BSE emergency that caused so many problems for Italy's livestock industry, with particularly negative effects for the farmer's income.
Cia, while reiterating that it had supported the raising of the age to 30 months for quite some time, highlights that Italy's meats are 100 percent guaranteed, thanks to the tenacity and commitment on the part of Italian farmers.
Data from Cia reveals that the ''fiorentina'' brings in over 200 million euro of revenue each year, around five percent of the total cow meat in Italy. Sales are bolstered by the four million tourists who consume at least one ''fiorentina'' steak each year while on vacation in Italy.
Unanimous satisfaction was heard on the part of both farmers and consumers. ''When a product as important as the ''fiorentina'' is deemed to be free of health risks, we can't help but be pleased about the European Commission's decision, as long as the highest controls and traceability are maintained''. Adiconsum, also in accordance with maintaining the controls and traceability of the product, said that as long as the safety of the consumer is guaranteed, the return of the ''fiorentina'' steak on Italian tables can only be seen a as positive result.
