Brussels, 12/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - As no response has been received from France to the reasoned opinion sent end June requesting that an end be put to the French embargo on British beef, the European Commission may have to refer the matter to the Court of Justice as the 15 day time limit has now expired (see EUROPE of 28 June 2002, p.10). One Community source said that nothing has yet been received from France, but refused to say what the next stage in the procedure would be. Commissioner David Byrne had said at the June Agriculture Council that he would be willing to grant France more time to comply with the ruling of the Court of 13 December last, on condition that the explanations and guarantees provided in response to the reasoned opinion were sufficiently encouraging.