51.   British beef was banned worldwide in March after the British government revealed a possible but inconclusive link between BSE and a fatal human brain disorder.

52.   But Shephard said the campaign to ban British beef was motivated by internal German politics ahead of national and regional elections there.

53.   Countries around the world banned British beef.

54.   They were also to meet with officials in Libya, which has also banned Irish beef.

55.   Jordan, Morocco and Saudi Arabia banned British beef six years ago, during a first alert over the cattle infection.

56.   Nations around the world have banned British beef since the start of the scare.

57.   Shephard told journalists that the campaign to ban British beef was motivated by internal German politics ahead of national and regional elections.