Brussels - The first tentative step in lifting of the ban on the export of British beef was taken yesterday when the EU Standing Veterinary Committee voted on a scientific report backing the new British system of registering cattle, Patrick Smyth reports from Brussels.
Although the vote, with eight countries for, five against, and two abstentions, was not enough to constitute the required qualified majority, Commission sources said they were confident the process of lifting the ban would be under way after the November 23rd Farm Council.