News in brief

EU FARM commissioner Franz Fischler is safe in his job, despite attempts by some Euro-MPs to sack all 20 commissioners, amid allegations of financial mismanagement. There was not enough support in yesterdays (14 January) historic vote in Strasbourg for the removal of the entire commission.

THE first two cases of BSE this year have been confirmed in France, bringing the total number of casualties there since 1990 to 51. Both herds in which the animals were born have been destroyed. Another case has also been identified in the Netherlands, bringing that countrys total to five.

FARMGATE prices dropped for the third year running throughout the EU, according to Brussels-based statistics service Eurostat. A drop of 3.7% for all products was recorded in 1997/98, with pigs showing the greatest downturn, of 29%. Cereal prices were 9% lower. On a country-by-country basis, the UK and Denmark fared the worst, each suffering an 11% fall in producer prices. Only Italy and Portugal saw any improvement in prices, reflecting a better year for wine, fruit and flowers.