Britain and France Close to Deal on Beef Dispute

Negotiations between Britain and France on the French ban of British beef are reaching a crucial stage, with both parties expressing optimism about finding a resolution. British Agriculture Minister Nick Brown has withdrawn Britain's request to take legal action against France for its continued ban, despite European Commission plans to proceed with court action. Meanwhile, French officials have hinted that a deal could be reached as early as late Tuesday, paving the way for the lifting of the embargo on British beef.

Key Takeaways:

• Britain and France are close to a deal to resolve the dispute over France's ban on British beef, with British Agriculture Minister Nick Brown expressing optimism about finding a way through.
• British officials have agreed to further telephone talks with their French counterparts, following Monday's meeting between Brown and French Agriculture Minister Jean Glavany.
• The European Commission is prepared to take the matter to court, despite Britain withdrawing its request for legal action, with EU Food Safety Commissioner David Byrne set to urge his fellow commissioners to support a court proposal.
• The French government is expected to make a statement late Tuesday if a deal is reached, with officials hinting that the embargo could be lifted in a couple of days.
• The European Commission imposed a worldwide export ban on British beef three years ago due to the link between mad cow disease and a form of the human brain disorder Cretzfeld-Jakob Disease.
• An EU steering committee of scientists ruled there was no scientific evidence for France to continue its ban on British beef, but many in France fear latent cases of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (mad cow disease).

Statistics:

• The European Commission imposed a worldwide export ban on British beef three years ago.
• The EU lifted the ban on Aug. 1, but France and Germany have not conformed to that decision.
• The EU steering committee of scientists ruled there was no scientific evidence for France to continue its ban on British beef.
• Britain withdrawn its request for legal action against France, despite European Commission plans to proceed with court action.

Sources:

• UPI (Nov. 16)
• BBC
• Le Parisien newspaper