Brussels, 16/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - At its College meeting on Wednesday, the European Commission may decide to send France to the Court of Justice for a second time to get it to pay fines in connection with its embargo on British beef, according direct hints from Commissioner David Byrne at a press conference on Monday night after the Agriculture Council, saying that since France had not responded to the Reasoned Opinion sent more than a fortnight ago, the time had come to have the Court ruling respected. Byrne said his private meeting with the French agriculture minister had led nowhere, adding that the Commission has to ensure that its obligations under the Treaty are respected. The Court of Justice is free to decide whether to levy such a fine and does not have to levy the amount suggested by the Commission.
France has still not complied with the Court of Justice ruling of 13 December 2001 calling on it to lift its ban on imports of British beef as required by EU legislation. France said that no decisions would be taken before September since the AFSSA (the French food safety agency) needs time to give its views on the issue.