22nd July 2002
'Arrogant' French must be fined
North West Euro MP David Sumberg has thrown his weight behind European Commission plans to fine France 100,000 pounds per day for its illegal ban on British beef.
Mr Sumberg said France had arrogantly refused to accept a European Court of Justice ruling that its ban breaks EU law and has repeatedly ignored calls from the Commission to allow imports of British beef.
'I am obviously pleased that action is being taken, but I am dismayed that the British Government has not applied more political pressure to solve the matter,’ he said. ‘I am also concerned that the fines will not compensate the affected farmers. This is a case of blatant French protectionism with no basis in science. British beef is now the safest in the world and our farmers have complied with stringent measures to ensure all beef is BSE free. I will not be satisfied until France lifts the ban and actually starts paying up.
NOTE: The penalty, which may not come into effect for up to two years, reflects the impact on exports to France and other markets, plus the possible deflation of UK market prices. France has insisted that it will maintain the embargo until September when its food safety authority publishes results of its tests on BSE in beef.
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