England and France have never been the happiest of neighbors. Whether struggling on the battle fields of long ago or engaging in a modern war of words, their rivalry has yet to run cold after 900 years. France is known for its national pride and its food. So it's not surprising that it has refused to accept British beef, especially since mad cow disease struck British herds in the mid-1990s. The malady, which affected about 180,000 cattle in Britain, deteriorates cows' brains.
Scientists believe a similar disease develops in humans who consume infected meat.
The EU lifted its ban on the export of British beef on Aug. 1, saying mad cow disease was no longer a danger. But France is still refusing it. And since France is a big supporter of a unified Europe, this puts them in a sticky spot. Only time will tell. Meanwhile, angered by this economic slap in the face, British store owners have removed French food products from their shelves.