Archive Article: 2002/07/26

26 July 2002




Shameless French just dont care

Do the French know no shame? For the past three years they have illegally banned British beef on spurious health grounds.

Despite the rising incidence of BSE in France, they have also flouted EU rules on removing specified risk materials from cattle carcasses – the single most important measure in combating the disease. Part of the problem is that the French dont care what others think.

But the biggest problem is that the EU legal system lacks teeth. The fact it takes three years to even apply for fines for the illegal beef ban, and another two years to impose them, makes a mockery of the whole thing. No wonder the French feel smug.


See more