THE Labour government yesterday claimed its first victory in the battle to restore confidence in British beef as McDonald's ended its 15-month ban.
The move marks a breakthrough in the effort to resolve the beef industry crisis which followed claims that the human brain disease, CJD, could be caught from eating BSE-infected meat.
But a leading microbiologist, Prof Richard Lacey - the first scientist to warn of a BSE danger for humans - claimed the food giant's decision was motivated by profit margins rather than public safety.
The chain's announcement that it would reinstate its £30 million annual British beef order came after a meeting with the British Agriculture Minister, Dr Jack Cunningham. The Minister said the McDonald's move was the first step in convincing the EU to allow Britain to resume beef exports.
But Prof Lacey, of Leeds University, said the move was premature and all beef, whether British or foreign, still posed a risk.
"I think McDonald's are putting profits before public safety," he said. "Beef may be central to their business but in that case I think they should concentrate on promoting alternatives. There are still too many risks."
Dr Lacey, who refuses to eat beef, added there were no new scientific reasons for the burger chain to put British beef back on its menu. "If British beef is safe now then there was no reason not to use it a year ago, either. The situation has not changed."
McDonald's managing director, Mr Andrew Taylor, dismissed suggestions that the chain's primary concern was financial, claiming that the public wanted British beef back on the menu.
. A spokesman for An Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board, said it was examining the implications of the McDonald's decision.