Brussels, 20/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - As reported in yesterday's EUROP E (p.6), the Commission decided on Wednesday to send France a Letter of Formal Notice for non-compliance with a recent Court of Justice ruling to lift its ban on British beef imports. France now has 30 days to submit its observations. Under Article 228 of the Treaty, the next stage would be sending a Reasoned Opinion. The Commission may then send the case to the Court of Justice, demanding that financial penalties be set.