Jospin pledges BSE compensation

PARIS, France -- Prime Minister Lionel Jospin promised farmers on Thursday the government would aid those hit by mad cow disease if European Union ministers refused to help them.

France will urge EU farm ministers to grant direct aid to farmers hit hardest by the BSE crisis

"The farm minister, Jean Glavany will propose targeted aid for farmers who are experiencing the biggest hardship," Jospin said during a visit to the annual farm show in Paris.

During his visit to the show angry farmers hurled eggs at the prime minister shouting "resign, resign, resign."

Livestock farmers are angry over several issues but principally over what they view as the failure of authorities to aid them in the mad cow disease crisis, which has caused beef consumption to plunge across Europe.

Last week, Glavany said he would press EU farm ministers at their next council on February 26th in Brussels to grant direct aid to farmers hardest hit by the mad cow crisis but hinted the burden might come down to France itself.

"I hope this will be adopted at the EU level. If not, we will have to take decisions at the national level," Jospin said.

France to push for mad cow aid
February 15, 2001
French BSE fears spread to sheep
February 15, 2001
EU tells farmers: No more BSE cash
January 25, 2001

European Commission for Health and Consumer Protection
Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSE)
French Agriculture Ministry
Europa

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