The European Commission has proposed a range of radical measures to halt the spread of mad cow disease across the EU…

Date: 30/11/00

...including a temporary ban on feeding protein-based meal to all farm animals. Food Safety Commissioner David Byrne said the proposals were "essential for the enhancement of consumer confidence". The planned measures include a requirement to test all cattle aged over 30 months for BSE before they enter the food chain, extending the ban on suspect animal parts which must be destroyed to include intestines, and a range of financial aids to help farmers deal with the effects of the slump in demand for beef. The Commission will ask Union farm ministers to approve the measures at a special meeting next Monday (4 December).