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MEPs outraged by Commission on French fine for beef ban

Thursday, 14 November 2002

The European Commission announced last night that it has 'withdrawn its application to the European Court of Justice for the imposition of a daily fine on France for failure to implement the judgment of the Court of Justice of 13 December 2001 ordering France to lift the British beef embargo.'

The Commission's decision has outraged East Midlands Euro-MPs Chris Heaton-Harris and Roger Helmer, who have been calling for compensation for East Midlands farmers since the ban was lifted by the French.

Speaking from Brussels Chris Heaton-Harris MEP said:

"The news that the Commission has decided to cave in and let France off the hook over its illegal ban on British beef is outrageous. The Commission has now given a clear signal that it is acceptable to flout EU law for over three years and get away scot-free.

Roger Helmer MEP added:

This is bad news for East Midlands beef farmers. The Government should demand compensation from the French Government for our farmers whose livelihoods were devastated by the illegal ban on British beef imports."