Ministers may force rethink on beef plan

Date: 22/02/01

By Laurence Frost

MEMBER states could force the European Commission into a rethink of its plans to rebalance the beef market.

Farm ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday (26 February) will consider farm chief Franz Fischler's proposals to cut beef production in response to the looming surplus caused by the BSE crisis.

Plans to lift the annual 350,000-tonne limit on beef bought by the Commission to support prices have come under heavy criticism from some governments.

"It should be left to supply and demand, just like any other commodity," said one EU diplomat.

There is also opposition to the proposed 'special purchase scheme' allowing states to either destroy slaughtered beef or place it in frozen storage until consumer confidence returns.

"The beef mountain has gone, so why create a new one?" said another diplomat.

Members states could force the European Commission into a rethink of its plans to rebalance the beef market.