Update: Export of British beef and the use of sludge in animal feed, November 1999

UK Agriculture Minister, Nick Brown, stated his strategy for lifting the ban on British beef exports in a statement on 3 November 1999: Press Release (MAFF), No.383, 1999 (3.11.99). On the 15 November 1999 the UK delivered a letter to the European Commission requesting that legal action be taken against France for its refusal to lift the ban on British beef: News Release (MAFF), No.397, 1999 (15.11.99).

On 16 November 1999 the European Commission decided to initiate formal legal proceedings against France, although still hoping that a negotiated settlement could still be reached. Details are given in Press Release (Commission), IP/99/850 (16.11.99). An explanation of the infringement process initiated by the European Commission is given in Memo (European Commission)/ MEMO/99/57 (16.11.99).

On the 24 November 1999 a protocol of understanding was agreed by the European Commission, the French and the British Governments to resolve the dispute, details of which can be seen in Memo (Commission), MEMO/99/59 (24.11.99).

See also: http://ec.europa.eu/comm/dg24/health/sc/ssc/out64_en.html

Links:
BBC News Online:
	16.11.99:	http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_521000/521982.stm
	24.11.99:	http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/world/europe/newsid_534000/534271.stm
	25.11.99:	http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_536000/536667.stm

This updates the In focus item Export of British beef and the use of sludge in animal feed.

Ian Thomson
Executive Editor, European Sources Online
Compiled: 18 November 1999
Last revised: 27 November 1999

UK Agriculture Minister, Nick Brown, stated his strategy for lifting the ban on British beef exports in a statement on 3 November 1999.