Major threatens to block EU business over beef ban

BRITAIN'S decision yesterday to up the ante on the BSE crisis immediately followed a decision by EU agriculture ministers to call an emergency ministerial meeting which diplomats expect will lift the ban on beef byproducts.

Last night, in the wake of the Commons threat by the British Prime Minister, Mr John Major, to block EU business unless the ban was lifted, there was anger and bewilderment in Brussels at what was seen by diplomats as an unnecessary escalation of the dispute.

The Munster MEP, Mr Pat Cox, described Mr Major's speech as "clear evidence that BSE is politically contagious".

In a statement, the European Commission urged Britain not to disrupt EU business. "The BSE problem is a problem for the whole of the European Union and a solution can only be achieved through the proper functioning of the Union's institutions and procedures which is in all member states interest to safeguard," a spokesman said.

The special Farm Council meeting on June 3rd and 4th is almost certain to allow the Commission to implement a decision it is likely to confirm today on a partial lifting of the ban on gelatin, tallow and semen - the same proposition which failed to secure sufficient votes at the Union's Standing Veterinary Committee on Monday night.

Then, some 39 votes out of 87 had been cast against the Commission proposal partially to lift the ban - enough to block a positive decision. Under the Union's complicated voting procedures, however, the Commission can today reaffirm its commitment to its proposal and put the issue again to the special Farm Council meeting. Then, unless a majority of member states - eight - votes against the Commission's decision, it can insist that the decision stands.

With eight countries backing the Commission when the issue was voted on yesterday at the Standing Veterinary Committee the Commission can be confident its decision will be endorsed on June 3rd.

The ministers however are unlikely to approve Britain's selective slaughter policy, the key to the lifting of the overall ban. Mr Major's threat is seen as a sabrerattling attempt to force through that further decision, a move, according to diplomats, likely to antagonise member states.

Following the meeting of Agriculture Ministers, Mr Yates warned that Britain should raise the "horizon of expectation" for the lifting of the overall ban. Although he had believed the ban would be lifted within months, he now accepted that he had been over optimistic.

It was clear, however, that some of those who opposed the lifting of the partial ban on byproducts were willing to reconsider their position if the British elaborated on their current selective slaughter proposals, Mr Yates said.

Their latest plan involves the slaughter of some 80,000 cattle, and Mr Yates said he believed if the British worked with the Commission to flesh out its cull proposals, a "handsome majority" could be achieved on June or the first step of lifting of the ban on gelatin tallow and semen.

The EU stand was not a politically inspired anti British position Mr Yates said, but reflected the reality that European states needed to reassure their citizens; that the British have a genuinely credible eradication programmed in place.

While Mr Major's threat to disrupt any EU business requiring a unanimous vote is seen here as a politically unacceptable breach of Community solidarity, diplomats say there are few upcoming debates where Britain's veto likely to prove too disruptive. Most immediate decisions on issues like the farm price package can go through on a qualified majority vote.

Mr Major last night referred specifically to the Intergovernmental Conference on the reform of the EU's structures, but few here believe substantial progress can be made on the issue until after a British general election.