Tighter EU beef rules on the horizon

21 July 1997

Tighter EU beef rules on the horizon

European farm ministers appear likely to approve a Commission
proposal to tighten controls on the processing of beef to eliminate BSE
when they meet tomorrow.

Jack Cunningham, UK agriculture minister, is threatening to block EU
imports unless the controls are implemented. He wants to ensure that
risk materials, such as the brain and spinal cord, are removed.

A similar proposal was rejected in December but checks since then
have shown lax controls in some EU countries. The EUs standing
veterinary committee narrowly rejected the proposals last week.