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		France faces fines over ban on British beef Monday, 29 July 2002 East Midlands MEPs Chris Heaton-Harris and Roger Helmer have welcomed the European Commission's recommendation of fines of up to £100,000 per day on France for it's illegal ban on British beef. News that the European Commission is likely to fine France for breaking EU law for more than three years is welcome but long overdue. The European Court of Justice in Luxembourg formally ruled that the ban by France broke EU law in December 2001. However, France refused to accept the ruling and has repeatedly ignored calls from the Commission to allow imports of British beef. 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. There are also unconfirmed reports that France has launched a court case against the Commission based on December's judgment. Conservative Euro-MP Roger Helmer, who participated in a demonstration in Paris back in autumn 1999 to protest against the ban, said: "Even with the credibility of the highest court in Europe resting on this case, our government remains pathetically silent in defending Britain's interests. People are disgusted that Tony Blair has said nothing to condemn France and has done nothing to back British farmers. What everyone suspects is that he is putting his personal ambitions in Europe above those of his country. "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." Chris Heaton-Harris MEP said: "The arrogance of the French Government is breathtaking and a national insult to British farmers and everyone whose lives depend on selling beef. Everyone expects France to wriggle out of this using bogus health fears to protect its markets. "With British businesses failing, French fines should cover all losses which have amounted to nearly half a billion pounds as a result of this ban."