About time British beef went back to Europe - Lynne

6.04.14pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 29th Sep 2005

The European Commission yesterday proposed lifting the near decade old beef ban early next year. The absurd ban must now be put before MEPs, but is not a binding vote.

Liz Lynne MEP, who personally defied the ban by carrying a portion of prime Herefordshire beef into the European Parliament in Strasbourg, said,

"It is about time this ridiculous ban on British beef was ended - it has gone on too long.

"British beef is not only the best tasting beef in the world, but the safest. Our safety standards are now among the best in the world.

"Once British beef farmers can begin exporting again they will be able to get on with their lives. It makes an absolute mockery of the EU to have let this ban stand in the way of perfectly good British beef being exported."

ENDS.