The European Parliament’s committee of inquiry into the handling of the BSE crisis

Date: 17/10/1996

is to seek a three-month extension to its work, which was originally due to end on 17 November. MEPs have also renewed their demand that UK Agriculture Minister Douglas Hogg testify before the committee. Hogg refused to attend a session last week, sending senior civil servant Richard Packer as a substitute. Meanwhile, British officials, including representatives from Northern Ireland and Scotland, were due to visit Brussels today (17 October) to discuss the possibility of easing the export ban on beef from certain certified grass-fed herds.