London - British farmers yesterday accused their government of caving in to the French after an apparent compromise deal was agreed to defuse the row over exports of British beef.
The farmers accused the Agriculture Minister, Mr Nick Brown, of reopening the debate on the safety of British beef after EU scientists ruled last week that the meat posed no threat to health and that France had no justification for continuing its ban on beef imports.
"I find it absolutely astonishing that having had the backing of Europe's top independent scientists and the full weight of the commission, it seems that he is reopening the debate," said Mr Jim Walker, president of the Scottish NFU.
An apparent face-saving compromise between Mr Brown, his French counterpart, Mr Jean Glavany and the EU Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner, Mr David Byrne, will see the argument returned to scientific experts who will review technical details of the safeguards on British beef exports.