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MEPs challenge Chirac to pay beef ban fine
Tuesday, 10 December 2002  East Midlands Conservative MEPs Roger Helmer and Chris Heaton-Harris have called on the French President Jacques Chirac to pay the fine imposed on his government for its failure to lift its embargo on British beef.
Euro-MPs Roger Helmer and Chris Heaton-Harris believe that the daily fine which totals £29,400,000 must be paid. To highlight this, they and their colleagues have today written to President Chirac enclosing an invoice for the full amount, payable to the farmers of Britain. The challenge follows the European Commission's decision to 'withdraw its application to the European Court of Justice for the imposition of the daily fine'. A decision universally condemned by Conservative MEPs and the farmers they represent. Commenting on why they are taking these steps, Roger Helmer MEP said: "The recent decision by the Commission to cave in and let France off the hook over its illegal ban on British beef is nothing less than a cheat's charter. This sends out a clear signal that it is perfectly acceptable to flout EU law - in this case for over three years - and get away scot-free. Chris Heaton-Harris MEP added: "Roger, myself and our Conservative colleagues in the European Parliament find it totally unacceptable that this fine has been dropped. We hope that the British Government will put pressure on the French to meet their moral obligation to pay the fine. Until the fine is paid, we will take whatever steps we can to highlight the issue, so that our farmers can receive both the compensation and the justice that they deserve".
Palais de l'Elysée 55 r Fbg St Honoré 75008 PARIS Dear President Chirac, As you aware, the failure of the French Government to lift its ban on British Beef has caused immense hardship to many of Britain's farmers. I am writing on behalf of myself, my Conservative colleagues and all Britain's farming community to call on you to settle the outstanding fine of £29,400,000 that was imposed on your government in the form of a daily fine. Whilst the European Commission may have withdrawn its application to the European Court of Justice for the imposition of the daily fine, we believe that you and your government have a moral obligation to settle this matter so that British farmers can receive both the compensation and the justice that they deserve. I look forward to your reply.
Yours sincerely, |