EU explores ways to satisfy Paris on beef

Date: 21/10/1999

By Simon Taylor

DIPLOMATS fear that France will refuse to lift its ban on imports of UK beef even if EU scientific experts confirm that there is no new evidence of a health risk.

Officials say the French government does not want to overrule the advice given by its own independent food safety agency, AFSSA, that the ban should be maintained because British safeguard measures cannot eliminate all risk of BSE being transmitted between animals.

This has sparked concern that Paris will not back down even if the two committees of independent scientists which will discuss the issue next week find in the UK's favour and the European Commission carries out its threat to take France to court.

Officials say a legal challenge would take around 18-24 months to complete. They add that the UK recognises that attempting to force Paris to lift the ban through strong-arm tactics could be counterproductive, only stiffening the country's resolve to stand firm. They also point out that recent public health scandals in France have reduced Paris' room for manoeuvre where health is concerned.

Diplomats say attention is now focusing on what possible additional guarantees France could be offered in return for easing its position. However, they insist that the terms of the date-based export scheme, which ensures that only beef from animals born after a strict feed ban was introduced in the UK is eligible for export, cannot be changed.

French officials are understood to be interested in a gradual lifting of the ban linked to a steady decline in BSE rates in the UK. But officials say the UK is reluctant to agree special terms for France.