BY 14 states to one the EU's Standing Veterinary Committee last night confirmed its recommendation of a worldwide ban on the export of British beef and products containing beef extracts.
The European Commission meets today and is certain to confirm the measure. All it requires is a simple majority.
The British Chief Medical Officer, Dr Kenneth Calman, told journalists after the meeting that he was deeply disappointed, but a Swedish representative at the committee said that Dr Calmans last ditch contribution to the debate had added little to what was, already known.
Dr Calman had been sent to a reconvened sitting of the committee following the British Prime Minister's furious phone call to the Commission President, Mr Jacques Santer, late on Monday after the announcement by the Commission of a ban. The committee met for some 31/2 hours before confirming its decision.
Yesterday, in an amazing U-turn that drew hoots of derision from journalists, a spokesman for the Commission claimed that Monday's announcement had only been of the committee's opinion, not a decision. The Commission had therefore been able, he said, to accommodate Mr Major's request for the opportunity to present further scientific evidence.
It was to no avail. Attempts by Dr Calman yesterday to get the ban on the export of semen, embryos and beef by products such as gelatine reconsidered fell on stony ground.
Few expected anything different the issue now is not the strength of the scientific case against a ban, but protecting the beef markets of the rest of Europe.
No attempt was made to make a case for the separate treatment of Northern Ireland, sources say although a Commission spokesman earlier confirmed it is possible for the ban to be limited to regions.
While there is little Britain can do to block the ban today there are fears the row will spill over into the Inter Governmental Conference which begins on Friday in Turin.
Yesterday a spokesman for the Commission confirmed that the proposed ban is "all encompassing", extending to a huge range of products.
The Agriculture Commissioner's spokesman reiterated his willingness to look "positively" at. Community financial assistance to Britain once it comes up with new proposals acceptable to the Commission to deal with the BSE problem.
He said that what such measures would be was a matter for Britain. Although the Commission had the power to order slaughtering, he said, it would prefer to leave such decisions to the member state concerned.
In the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee yesterday, the Leinster MEP, Mr Alan Gillis (FG), called for urgent action to restore public confidence including an immediate slaughter policy in Britain of all cows from infected herds.
Mr Gillis also called for urgent action by the Commission to secure access again for Irish cattle to Middle East markets.
