1.   Italy lifted a ban on Swiss cattle imports last month.

2.   Switzerland is to protest to the World Trade Organization against European import restrictions on Swiss cattle following the mad cow disease scare.

3.   Swiss cattle were effectively barred from Italy following the outbreak of mad cow disease in Switzerland because of a rule prohibiting the cattle from being resold.

4.   Swiss cattle can again be exported to Italy following the lifting of restrictions by Italian authorities.

5.   In October a regional prefect, or government representative in the Doubs region banned Swiss cattle in his department.

6.   In October a regional prefect, or government representative, in the Doubs region banned Swiss cattle in his department.

7.   At that time the French government said it was not planning to ban Swiss cattle.

8.   Austria, Germany and Italy have already banned imports of Swiss cattle.

9.   But it said health standards had to be maintained, and increased checks on Swiss cattle and beef entering the country, while not banning them.

10.   The suspension will be imposed pending a definitive decision by the European Commission on a policy in response to the risk posed by Swiss cattle, the sources said.