Luxembourg, 20/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - In a press release, the Court of Justice states, "Advocate General Jean Mischo delivers his opinion on the lifting of the ban on British meat. Having failed validly to contest the legality of the Commission decision lifting the ban on cattle and cattle products from the United Kingdom, France could not, in the view of the Advocate General, refuse to implement the Commission decision of 23 July 1999 by not accepting on its territory beef and veal covered by the date-based export scheme coming directly from the United Kingdom. On the other hand, the Advocate General takes the view that the refusal to lift the ban on indirect imports is justified in the absence of a complete set of Community rules concerning traceability and labelling."
At a press conference, the French Agriculture Minister, Jean Glavany, came out in favour of continuing the embargo, saying there was not reason to lift the embargo, owing to insufficient knowledge about the British epidemiological situation.
The European Commission said it was awaiting with interest the judgement of the Court, with a spokesperson adding, "This case has never been about compromises on safety standards to protect against BSE. Europe has tough and stringent safety laws in place".
The ruling will be delivered in the next few months.