THE British government was urged last night to devise plans as soon as possible to combat BSE so that Brussels could decide on cash compensation for farmers. But EU Agricultural Commissioner Mr Franz Fischler warned there were no "blank cheques".
Mr Fischler, speaking after yesterday's unanimous Commission decision to endorse a worldwide ban on British beef as recommended by scientific experts, said the embargo would last as long as necessary but the first review would come in six weeks.
He insisted there was no vendetta against the UK: "We must try to abandon the concept that all meat in the UK is poisonous. That is obviously not the case. But we want to stop the disease spreading and prevent a total collapse of beef prices. The aim is damage limitation and the stability of markets."
Mr Fischler called for rigorous monitoring of the ban, although he acknowledged it would be difficult to block every single export of the vast range of products now in circulation which contain the elements of cattle slaughtered in Britain.
The Commission agreement leaves nothing untouched. In theory it applies to goods such as digestive biscuits, jelly, Christmas pudding, ice cream, and soups which contain British beef. There are also medicinal goods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products which are banned from sale abroad by the agreement.
Pressure from Britain's two Commissioners, Mr Neil Kinnock and Sir Leon Brittan, produced the six week review. Mr Kinnock argued that, without any target date, it would be far more difficult for Britain to focus on ending the beef crisis and restoring consumer confidence.
Sir Leon was equally insistent that the Commission should make a firm commitment to supporting any British government eradication measures, including slaughtering, with EU funds.
Mr Fischler told a news conference later in Brussels that he was waiting to hear from British officials what plans the government had to step up its campaign against BSE.
Only then, he said, could he assess compensation. "We need proposals first. Then we will look at funding. I would like proposals in the next few days."
The Commission agreement includes an obligation on the UK to provide a report fortnightly to Brussels on how it is implementing the ban and the measures taken to control BSE.
But Mr Fischer emphasised it would be wrong to consider that the ban would end automatically at the first review: "The embargo will last for as long as we do not establish that there are sufficiently effective control measures.
Earlier Mr Fischler told MEPs that it was vital to restore confidence to consumers and farmers as well.
"Given the very nervous and volatile situation we find ourselves in today, it is futile to talk about scientific fact or evidence. There is a crisis of confidence which has rapidly spread throughout the EU, with implications for the whole beef sector."
He added: "As a clear demonstration of EU solidarity, the Commission is prepared to consider any means of assisting the UK in either a technical or a financial way on the basis of a UK proposal and in consultation with the Commission."
Mr Fischler left no doubt last night that the ball was now in the British government's court.