Jospin moves on BSE fears

Paris - The French government yesterday announced a moratorium on the use of bone and meat meal in animal feedstuffs in response…

Paris - The French government yesterday announced a moratorium on the use of bone and meat meal in animal feedstuffs in response to fears over bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) or "mad cow" disease and links to a fatal brainwasting disease in humans.

The French Prime Minister, Mr Lionel Jospin, told a news conference the ban would be implemented as an additional precautionary step pending investigations by the national food safety agency AFFSA. He said T-bone steaks would also be banned from sale.

The bans were among a number of steps Mr Jospin announced after talks with key ministers.