§ Mr. LlwydTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action she plans to take if Germany decides to impose a partial ban on the import of British beef and veal; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SoamesWe have made it very clear that we would not accept a unilateral trade restriction if this were to be imposed by the German Government. The European Commission has made it clear to the German authorities that it too sees no justification for such measures and that it would take appropriate action.
A range of measures have already been introduced nationally and at Community level to protect consumers from any possible health hazard because of bovine spongiform encephalopathy. BSE has been discussed many times at expert and political level within the European Union and no less than three times in recent months at Council of Ministers level. The view of the Commission and all member states except Germany, is that there is no scientific justification for further measures.