EURO MP CALLS FOR ACTION NOW ON ILLEGAL BEEF BAN

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 24th Apr 2002

Liz Lynne, Liberal Democrat MEP for the West Midlands region, is calling for the European Commission to reject France's request for more time before lifting their ban on British beef.

A month ago, France received a formal notice from the Commission for failing to remove its embargo on British beef imports, and is now responding by asking for more time.

Speaking in Brussels today, Liz Lynne said "How much longer does France want? British beef was declared safe by the European Commission in July 1999. There was a Court judgement against France in December 2001 and still France is not lifting the ban. It is absolutely outrageous."

Liz Lynne added "In my view France is just playing for time in order to keep the markets it gained after stopping imports from Britain. British beef is among the safest in the world as we now have the very highest safety and hygiene standards."

Liz, who has personally defied the French ban by carrying a portion of prime Herefordshire beef into the European Parliament in Strasbourg, added "The Commission should now go ahead and send a 'Reasoned Opinion' prior to asking the Court of Justice to request the levying of fines. We must keep up the campaign to ensure the EU legal process ends this blatant injustice. Our farmers want compensation now, not more delay."

Note to Editors: The EU Court of Justice ruled against France in December 2001. New French Agriculture Minister Francois Patriat, who took over when Jean Glavagny was appointed head of Lionel Jospin's ill-fated presidential election campaign, revealed France's request for more time on Monday this week.