61.   He added that the commission did not rule out ordering the slaughter of some British cattle but needed to discuss this first with London.

62.   His words were immediately met with calls from opposition parties for the governing Conservatives to implement extra measures to remove the threat of BSE from the British cattle herd.

63.   However, less pessimistic economists do not expect any important effects on the economy unless all British cattle have to be put down.

64.   But he conceded that some French importers had doubtless illegally imported British cattle feed meal based on animal proteins.

65.   Dealers said that if government scientists recommend wholesale slaughter of British cattle, the dairy industry and the beef industry in Britain would suffer.

66.   European commissioners on Monday voted for an indefinate suspension on all British cattle and cattle product exports to Europe and third countries, a move bitterly opposed by London.

67.   Top meat industry and waste officials have already warned that the mass incineration of British cattle that London must carry out under the EU deal is an impossible task.

68.   London is counting heavily on Paris to secure an easing of the embargo, notably on gelatin, tallow and sperm from British cattle.

69.   Moreover the wholesale destruction of British cattle will not suffice to lift the embargo on exports of British beef.

70.   New Zealand on Friday suspended all imports of foods and other products for human consumption containing material from British cattle as a precaution against mad cow disease.