11.   Further tests are being conducted to see if the virus spread to the animals but the herd is being slaughtered as a precaution anyway.

12.   But countries such as France, which have slaughtered whole herds because of a solitary case of BSE, are unlikely to be convinced by this argument.

13.   But countries such as France, which have slaughtered whole herds because of a solitary case of BSE, are unlikley to be convinced by this argument.

14.   The refusal of the British government to slaughter entire herds where cases of BSE have been registered is a particular bone of contention.

15.   Spanish Foreign Minister Carlos Westendorp said he would support the use of EU funds to compensate British farmers who have to slaughter their herds.