000206 Germany to Lift British Beef BanFebruary 6, 2000Berlin - Germany's government cleared the way for a resumption of British beef imports after a nearly four-year ban because of fears of mad cow disease. European Union authorities lifted a worldwide ban on British beef exports last Aug. 1, but Germany and France had held out. German officials have recently cited the country's slow parliamentary procedure. France has maintained its ban. The German Cabinet approved lifting the ban Wednesday after adopting stringent new EU rules for British beef. Health Minister Andrea Fischer said the upper house of parliament was expected to endorse the move - the only remaining obstacle. The chamber was expected to debate the measure on March 17, meaning British beef imports could resume by late March. The EU introduced the British beef ban at the peak of the mad cow scare in 1996 after scientists established a link between bovine spongiform encephalopathy, then ravaging British cattle, and a fatal human brain disease. Seeking to reassure German consumers, Fischer said British beef would be clearly marked, either on the meat or on the package. “This identification allows consumers to decide themselves whether they want to eat British beef or not,” she said in a statement.
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