51.   Since the EU ban, British farmers have continued to feed the backlog of cattle that has been mounting, knowing the animals are technically worthless.

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

53.   The crisis is expected to ruin thousands of British farmers and thousands more in the meat industry.

54.   The government now faces serious opposition both from British farmers and in the House of Commons, which must give its approval before it can go ahead.

55.   The French ban hits British farmers particularly hard, as France is the largest importer of British beef.

56.   The measures adopted Monday ban British farmers from feeding cattle on animal feeds considered to be the origin of the disease in cattle.

57.   The NFU, which represents the majority of British farmers, had argued that the ban was discriminatory and disproportionate to the risk involved.