Plans by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to push the European Commission (EC) to legalise the production of 'smokies' smoked 'skin-on' sheep carcasses could be undermined by the "thriving trade" in cheaper illegal supplies.
While considerable demand exists for smokies, eaten by some West African immigrants in the UK and elsewhere in the EU, concerns remain that the costs of regulated production to high hygiene and animal welfare standards could make them uncompetitive compared with their illegal counterparts.
At its last Board meeting in London, the FSA agreed to seek a derogation for the UK for the regulated production of smokies in advance of achieving an EU-wide law change. If successful, it called for continued surveillance of products to ensure the absence of residual veterinary medicines.
However, FSA board member Maureen Edmondson said: "I am concerned by the illegal trade being more competitive."
Provided the sector is policed to stamp out illegal supplies, the UK's meat industry particularly in Wales where smokies are popular welcomes the change as it offers beleaguered sheep farmers and slaughterhouses a new source of revenue.
John Spence, FSA Board member for Wales and chair of the Wales Food Advisory Committee, estimated the cost of installing the facilities to make smokies at £75,000 for legitimate producers. He added that an expected £20 premium for carcasses, could put legal smokie processors at a "severe disadvantage"