BRITISH CALL CATTLE SAFE; EU FAVORS BAN.

Byline: Ray Moseley Chicago Tribune

Britain on Monday lifted the threat of a death sentence against 4.5 million British cattle, saying the latest scientific advice indicates British beef is relatively safe. But fears of mad cow disease continued unabated, and European experts in Brussels recommended a ban on the import of British beef.

British Health Minister Stephen Dorrell informed Parliament that a science advisory committee had concluded that risks to human health from the disease are "extremely small" if the government enforces regulations already in place.

The committee said no additional measures are justified - meaning there is no need for a widespread slaughter - but the situation needs to be kept under review, Dorrell said. The committee also advised that children, expectant mothers and the sick face no greater risk than healthy adults, he said.

But in Brussels, where veterinary experts of the 15-nation European Union met throughout the day, a decision was made to recommend a ban on sales of British beef abroad. The recommendation goes to the European Commission, its executive body.

Later Monday, after Prime Minister John Major angrily protested the recommendation, commission President Jacques Santer agreed to reconvene the veterinary experts today. British health experts will address the group in an attempt to head off the ban.

A Spanish official said the ban also would apply to calves, cosmetics that use beef products and all beef products used either for animal feed or human consumption. A Dutch veterinarian said sperm and embryos also are covered. The vote went 14-1 against Britain.

Eighteen nations banned British beef last week, including 12 in the European Union. Denmark and Ireland were the only holdouts, but Denmark said Monday it has joined the ban.

Britain earns $750 million a year from beef exports. Its home market is worth $6.2 billion.

The science panel cited by Dorrell is the same one that gave rise to worldwide fears about British beef last week when it reported that mad cow disease probably could be passed to people who eat beef. The human equivalent is Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, which attacks the brain and nervous system and causes death. At least 10 cases have been confirmed in Britain, and health officials said Monday that two more are suspect. A German scientist also announced a possible case.

Dorrell's statement evoked a stinging response from Labor Party spokeswoman Harriet Harman, who said government foot-dragging had produced "a nightmare scenario for consumers and farmers alike" and that Britain's government hasn't done enough to restore confidence.

Conservative Tony Marlowe interrupted to call Harman "a stupid cow," then apologized as he had breached parliamentary rules. Dorrell accused Labor politicians of "ferreting for political advantage in the sewer of politics."

In Britain, McDonald's, Wendy's and the Wimpy fast-food chains have stopped using British beef. Burger King joined the ban Monday night. Thousands of schools have dropped beef from their menus, although Dorrell urged them Monday to restore the item, and supermarkets have reported plummeting sales.