11th hour on BSE

OXFORD - European veterinary experts have voted to scrap a proposed European ban on the import and use of products containing material classified as having a high risk of transmitting BSE (bovine spongiform encephalitis). The ban is due to come into force on Wednesday.

However, the 11-3 majority is not good enough to throw out the proposal. European farm ministers still have the choice of scrapping the measure or letting the proposal come into force and facing a possible trade dispute with the U.S...