HOPES for an end to the row between Britain and the EU over the beef industry have been raised substantially after the European Commission decided late last night to propose a detailed formula for resolution of the issue at next weekend's Florence Summit.
The Commission has authorised its president, Mr Jacques Santer, and Agriculture Commissioner, Mr Franz Fischler, to finalise a document it hopes will be acceptable to the British and to a majority of other EU members.
The document will propose a framework for the lifting of the ban on the export of British beef, which was imposed last March, following the announcement by the British government that there may be a link between BSE and its human equivalent, CJD.
It is also expected to contain a number of conditions which must be met by the British government. No specific timetable is expected to be set for the total lifting of the ban.
A Commission spokesman said last night however that it would not table the document at all unless Britain agreed to end its policy of non co operation with EU decision making. The non co operation must end "in parallel" with the tabling of the document, and before it is finally agreed.
Details of the compromise document were unavailable last night, but will be revealed by Mr Santer when he addresses the European Parliament here this morning. The British would be highly unlikely to end their non co-operation policy if they found the document unacceptable, leading to speculation last night that the Commission was confident that the framework it is proposing for the lifting of the ban will prove agreeable.
A Commission source said last night that Britain was likely to be asked to fulfil a number of conditions before a framework for lifting the ban was agreed. The Commission wants a more efficient animal identification system, a more comprehensive slaughter programme than the British are proposing, and a commitment to destroying suspect offal and animal meal.
The Commission was also understood to be opposed to the ban of exports of British beef to non EU countries being lifted first. A source said that only when the beef was considered safe for European consumers should it also be considered safe for non EU citizens.
The Commission source emphasised last night that even if a framework is agreed, each stage of the lifting of the ban can only take place after the EU's veterinary committee and the Commission are satisfied that clear scientific criteria have been met.
"We are not proposing to lift the ban unless there are scientific reasons, and unless the normal decision making procedures are adhered to," said the Commission source. Even if a framework is agreed, it is not expected that the ban will be lifted fully until some time next year.