31.   Veterinary officials were trying to determine the source, which could take several weeks.

32.   Veterinary officials said the diagnosis was based on an autopsy in neighboring Switzerland after the cat had been killed.

33.   A resolution of the crisis before Florence would depend on the outcome of a meeting of EU veterinary officials on Wednesday, Barner said.

34.   A veterinary official said no cases of the disease have ever been confirmed in the country.

35.   British officials said there was no guarantee that a meeting of EU veterinary officials would approve the eradication plan.

36.   The plan, put forward on an unconditional basis for the first time on Monday, is to be assessed by EU veterinary officials on Friday.

37.   This was taken by some observers as evidence of links between a Belgian hormone mafia and corrupt government veterinary officials.

38.   The plan, put forward on an unconditional basis for the first time on monday, is to be assessed by veterinary officials on Friday.