Vets given ultimatum on beef export vote

Date: 12/02/1998

By Leyla Linton

AGRICULTURE Commissioner Franz Fischler is to tell EU vets to stop stalling and vote on proposals to ease the ban on British beef exports.

Senior Commission officials say Fischler wants the Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC), made up of senior vets from all 15 member states, to vote on the plan to allow exports of meat from Northern Ireland under the certified herds scheme as soon as possible.

The move marks a significant hardening of the Commission's stance.

Until now, both Fischler and the UK government have been anxious not to put the issue to a vote until there was a realistic chance of getting agreement. Now the Commissioner is trying to bring the issue to a head even though a significant number of member states called for substantial changes to the plan at an SVC meeting last week.

The action reflects growing frustration with the slow progress of discussions, amid speculation that objections raised by some member states may be motivated more by political considerations than by any scientific evidence.

Under the scheme, drawn up by the Commission on the basis of proposals from London, beef exports from herds which could be proven free of BSE for at least eight years would be allowed. This is possible in Northern Ireland because the province has a computer database to track the history of cattle.

Several member states, including France and Germany, called for the proposal to be modified at last week's SVC meeting. Almost all raised questions, and diplomats say Northern Ireland's representative was given a "very tough time".

Objections included the question of whether meat from herds certified as BSE-free, but through which animals from other herds had passed, would be eligible for export. Another was how to create a safe system for exports to ensure that beef from BSE-free herds did not get mixed with other UK-produced meat.

However, Fischler rejected pleas for significant changes to the plan, agreeing only to some minor technical adjustments.

The SVC is expected to discuss it again next week, but is unlikely to vote until next month. If members cannot agree by a qualified majority to support the proposal, it will be discussed by agriculture ministers at their meeting on 16-17 March. At ministerial level, the issue can be decided by simple majority vote. If governments reject the proposal, Commission officials will have to go back to the drawing board.

Meanwhile, the UK is keeping up its campaign to ensure the plan is clearly understood. "Work is continuing to make sure that member states understand what is a very technical proposal, and that all fears based on scientific evidence are allayed," said a British official.

EU Commissioner Fischler is to tell EU vets to stop stalling and vote on proposals to ease the ban on British beef exports.