The British government is expected to re-examine its cattle slaughter policy today as the President of the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers, Mr Yates, moves to resolve the issue.
Serious differences with its EU partners still face the British government over its approach to BSE problems. EU ministers will meet in Brussels next Monday to review the British situation and Britain's overall plan.
Mr Yates will chair the first meeting of the Council of Ministers to discuss controversial proposals for the extensive slaughter of calves in the union to cut future beef production.
Some member states, including Ireland, oppose the mass slaughter of calves and will be proposing alternatives.
Mr Yates will seek an EU intervention price for beef over the bottom price of 78p per lb, which is called "the safety net price", for bullocks.
He also wants an extension of the concession he won earlier this month when the Commission agreed to accept very heavy animals into intervention for the month of September. The Commission, however, will only pay for 390 kgs of the animal.
In addition, Mr Yates wants an increase in the processing margin being paid to processors who are killing animals for intervention.
As the main season for selling beef animals approaches, there are indications that the price of beef being paid to farmers has bottomed out at around 18 per cent less than last year.
The most recent information compiled by the An Bord Bia, the food board, confirms the trade in cattle has been steady over last week and in some cases prices have improved.