On this issue, British farmers and the EU find themselves in rare accord, although for different reasons. The British government promised to slaughter up to 147,000 cattle most at risk for BSE to get the EU to lift its worldwide ban on British beef sales. The ban was imposed in March after Britain unveiled evidence that people could get a similar illness, called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, by eating infected beef. The government is now using the new Oxford study to argue that the cull could be cut by one-third, and still be just as effective. The European Commission, in response, said it would study the report, but the cull must continue.
Farmers say if the slaughter proceeds, they want a firm timetable for ending the ban.
While politicians thrash out policy, consumer confidence seems to be creeping back. In Banbury, England, beef sales are practically normal. But farmers say they won't be happy until British beef is back on dinner plates around the world. Reuters contributed to this report. Some newsgroups may not be supported by your service provider.