The French ban on British beef is a dreadful example to set for those countries aspiring to join the EU, says agriculture minister Nick Brown. Blasting Paris, Brown said: "Any country that tries to pick and choose which laws to obey will forfeit its role as a leader of our Union." The minister denied this was a call for France to lose its right to take over the presidency of the EU in the second half of this year. But he said: "I call on France to accept the science and obey the law. As we look to a wider EU what example must it be for a major member state to be seen blatantly to be disregarding the treaties that bind us together?" Brussels finally took the French government to court this week over its ban.The National Farmers' Union has urged the Commission to apply to the European Court of Justice for interim measures that would force France to sell British beef while the case is heard. {{NEWS }}

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