§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has made to(a) the European Commission and (b) her French counterpart on the French ban on the import of UK beef since the expiry of the 15 day period imposed by the European Court for the lifting of the ban. [70673]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 18 July 2002]: The Secretary of State made representations to the French Agriculture Minister on 15 July during the Agriculture 935W Council. The European Commission decided on 17 July to refer France to the European Court of Justice for a second time in order to enforce the judgment given by the Court on 13 December 2001 that the ban should be lifted. The Commission also requested the Court to impose a substantial daily fine on France of 158,250 euro per day for failure to comply with the judgment.
§ Mr. WeirTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what input the Government have into the process to be followed by the European Court following the refusal of the French Government to lift the ban on the import of UK beef within the 15 day time limit set down by the European Court. [70633]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 18 July 2002]: The European Commission decided on 17 July to refer France to the European Court of Justice for a second time in order to enforce the judgment given by the Court on 13 December 2001 that the ban should be lifted. Member states may apply to the Court to intervene in the case.