However, it is only since last May that UK breeders have once more been permitted to export cattle. The BSE crisis, which extended for 15 years for the live export market, put an end to the trade. But the numbers of cattle shipped to a range of destinations is expected to grow rapidly in the coming months.

Yesterday saw the start of the annual Perth Bull Sales with delegations from Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Estonia and New Zealand casting their eyes over the cattle during the pre-sale show of bulls and heifers.

During the past ten days, a major order for Germany has been completed with 29 heifers and two bulls heading for the herd of Bernard Delle in Bavaria. Delle, who already has an 80-cow herd, which is largely based on Scottish bloodlines, personally selected the cattle which are due to be shipped out later this month.

Nigel Hammill from Cheshire is the president of the Aberdeen-Angus Cattle Society. He commented: "This latest export breakthrough provides evidence of the demand for Angus cattle on the continent. The potential is massive and this is just the start.

"Demand is being driven by a growing requirement for quality beef in former eastern bloc countries, especially Russia. Breeders in other countries are gearing up to meet this market by importing high performance genetics from the UK to improve their herds."

This latest deal follows a major promotional drive by the breed society at three European farming shows towards the end of 2006 - Eurotier in Hanover, Polagar in Poznam, Poland and Indagar in Bucharest, Romania. Last year over 300 pedigree Angus cattle were exported and there is every prospect of that number increasing substantially in 2007.

Source: The Scotsman