§ Andrew GeorgeTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has had with(a) President Chirac and (b) the French Government in respect of the costs to United Kingdom farmers following the French refusal to lift the British beef import ban. [81945]
§ The Prime MinisterI have raised the ban with both President Chirac and Prime Minister Raffarin on a number of occasions and am gratified that France has at last complied with EU law and lifted its ban on British beef. Any bids for compensation must come from those affected but we will support such cases if they arise.