The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, told his French counterpart, Mr Lionel Jospin, yesterday that Britain was angry at France's refusal to sell British beef and hinted at legal action if Paris did not lift the ban.
Mr Blair took Mr Jospin aside for a few minutes at the start of the Tampere summit, telling him that the government, farmers and the public felt strongly about the issue. A British spokesman said Britain was "disappointed and angry" at the way France had failed to follow a European Commission decision in August to lift a three-year ban imposed after the outbreak of BSE in British cattle herds.
The spokesman declined to say how Mr Jospin responded.
Germany says it is on track to rescind the ban, and France has given ground by saying it will permit the transit of British beef across its territory.
Mr Blair told Mr Jospin: "Europe is founded on the rule of law and common benefits are founded on common responsibilities and solidarity".
On Thursday the European Commission said its scientists had failed to reach an opinion on what France says is new evidence justifying its continued ban.