Sheep could be used to make smokies

The FSA has said initial results from research it ordered into the sheep meat known as smokies has been encouraging.

But the agency has said it will wait until March when the study is complete to decide whether it will back or oppose legalisation of the food.

Production is illegal because it does not comply with European Union rules.

Smokies are an African delicacy produced when a sheep or goat carcass is blow torched with the skin and fleece on for a chargrilled flavour.

They are illegal in Europe because they are sold with the brain and spinal cord.

In 2003, farmer Carmello Gale from Llandysul in Ceredigion was given a suspended jail term for producing smokies - but he and some other Welsh meat producers argue they are missing out on a trade worth millions of pounds and the ban should be lifted.

The initial results are quite encouraging Mary Howell, FSA

Conscious of this, the FSA ordered research into smokies, which is being carried out by Bristol University.

At Wednesday's meeting of the Welsh food advisory committee, Mary Howell, of the FSA said: "The initial results are quite encouraging, but whether or not we decide to approach the European Commission still has to be decided.

"We have to recognise that this is a test case because no-one else in Europe has done this type of research work."

Farmers and farming unions also attended the meeting, and Arwyn Owen, of the Farmers' Union of Wales, said they were also very encouraged by initial results from the research and hoped the production of smokies could be legalised in the future.