Luxembourg - The European Commission's decision to ban the export of British beef because of "mad cow" disease was legally justified and within Brussels' powers, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice said in an opinion delivered yesterday. The court, which usually follows the advocate general's opinion, will issue a definitive ruling on Britain's challenge to the legality of the 1996 ban by the end of the year.
Yesterday's opinion coincides with the first moves to ease the ban, but also after fresh reports that thousands of tonnes of British beef were evading the trade blockade and reaching the Continent. Only last week the Commission ordered the closure of meat storage and productions plants in Germany believed to have received British beef consignments.