November 11th 2000

Russia impose ban on French beef

Hungary moves against Ireland

Hungary has made a potentially damaging gesture against Ireland

Following the furore in France over animals from the same farm as a BSE reactor getting into the food chain, Russia has stopped importing French beef from nine French departments.

Russia, Germany and Ireland are the main exporters to Russia. Following the Russian move against France, Hungary then took everyone by surprise by banning French and Irish beef. As Hungary only imports about 50 tons of beef the action against Ireland is inexplicable.

The French are also facing problems with their German customers.

Several regional German Ministers are calling for a reappraisal of the freedom of movement that French beef enjoys. However others are saying that the speed with which the French authorities identified all the animals from the herd showed the value of a full traceability system.