Aid hint as courts deal with French
13 December 1999
Aid hint as courts deal with French
By FWi staff
EMERGENCY financial aid for British farmers is to be considered by the European Commission while legal action continues against France for refusing to lift its beef ban.
Food safety commissioner David Byrne yesterday (Sunday) told The Times that he favoured the idea suggested by European Parliament president Nicole Fontaine.
Mr Byrne said: “British farmers are under enormous pressure and the value of their stock has dropped considerably,”
He added: “Will there be top-ups or further support? I think something along those lines is worthy of support.”
Additional funds would be approved by the European Parliament, and Ms Fontaine called for the farmers to be given “financial compensation and support” until the beef dispute is resolved.
She said British livestock farmers could only feel attacked again after agreeing to make exceptional efforts to provide the best possible safety guarantees
“We cant be indifferent to their situation,” Ms Fontaine said.
Tomorrow the commission will issue a “reasoned opinion” accusing France of breaching European law, and giving it five days to respond.
Should Paris still refuse to drop the ban, the Commission will open proceedings next week at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
Mr Byrne said securing an emergency injunction forcing the ban to be lifted pending a final judgement could be difficult.
Fast-track proceedings might be an easier option, said Mr Byrne, but cautioned that the court case could still take months.
- Legal action on beef starts next week, FWi, 09 December, 1999
- Brown puts faith in courts over beef, FWi, 09 December, 1999