'Do you eat British beef?' - this was the question we asked in light of the news that the French are not allowing British beef back into their stores.

The ban on British beef imposed in 1996 followed the BSE crisis, but was lifted in August following full safety approval from European Union experts. Stringent measures were imposed to ensure the safety of British beef and there can be no doubt now that the meat our farmers produce is of the highest quality and the safest in the world.

However the French insist that British beef can not go on sale as health worries still exist. Under EU law the continuation of the ban is illegal and the French have been given a limited amount of time to either lift the ban or face European court action. Many people that we asked raised their opinion on the French ban.

Mr G Pengelly, an agriculture merchant, supplying feed for local farmers, is obviously concerned about France not taking British beef as it indirectly affects his business.

Mr Pengelly buys his beef regularly from Philip Warrens in Launceston and said: 'I am concerned that the government are not doing something to stop the French refusing our country's beef'. He is worried that too much 'fuss' at the ports, which has already started, may cause the French to refuse the country's lamb as well.

Good stuff

David Bunkum, who farms as D C Bunkum and sons at Appledore farm in St Ive, explained that he has been a beef and dairy farmer for his whole life as was his father before him. Tre Ugalde, a former undertaker in Liskeard, has never stopped eating British beef. He said: 'I am concerned about the French not taking our product'.

Basil Arnold interviewed while in Liskeard market, has been eating beef 'ever since I had teeth' and has never stopped. he said: 'It's good stuff if you know where it comes from'.

Peter Hooper, a partner in Kivells estate agents and auctioneers told the Cornish Times: 'I eat a copious amount of British beef, as it is the best in Europe, although I would probably argue it is the best in the world!'

In his official capacity Mr Hooper said: 'The standards of animal husbandry and production is of a high quality. The public at large should realise that the British farmer takes great pride in the welfare considerations to produce a top quality product contrary to what some people think and say.'

Ruth Wherry from St Neot, said: 'We as a family have never stopped eating beef, we don't see any reason to stop, we kill our own bullocks so we know exactly where the meat comes from.'

Butchers

Liskeard offers good quality butchers, who sell British beef so when the Cornish Times called in at Rapson, the butchers at Windsor place, where Maria Hicks from Moorswater was buying her meat, she said she has never stopped eating beef, even during the scare.

Rodney Lucas, the proprietor of Rapson's explained he had worked there for 23 years and owned it for 10. He said: 'Even during the scare no one stopped buying. From what I've heard people don't like being told what to eat and what not to eat.' With reference to France refusing British beef, Rodney said: 'The French don't know what they are eating half the time anyway!'

Anna Gillbard from Morval, believes steps should be taken against France by the EU to make them comply with the law. She sees nothing wrong in eating British beef as her son is beef farmer.

Malcolm Barnecutt's bakery uses British beef in all of their pasties. Manager Kay Bawden, Valerie Prout and Hilary Arnold are all meat eaters and continued to be so during the BSE scare. We were told however that Barnecutts have now been selling a lot of vegetarian pasties. Kay said: 'It seems that this is due to the healthy eating aspect and not the beef scares as sales of meat pasties have not dropped off.' Other tasty beef pasties can be found at Blakes and Purdy's bakeries in the town.

Urgent action

With farmers from Cornwall and Devon already blockading Plymouth's Millbay Docks to prevent French imports reaching this country, the industry is having to take urgent action, as it could take months or even years of legal action by the European Commission to force France into lifting the ban.

Agriculture minister Nick Brown, has declared a personal boycott of French produce and many people in Cornwall have already joined in by avoiding Gallic products such as wine, beer, cheese, apples and butter.

The Whitsand Bay Hotel has revealed that due to the unlawful stance of the French Government, Earle Hotels Ltd has decided to withdraw all French wines from their establishments - The Whitsand bay Hotel, Sconner House and Finnygook Inn - until further notice.

Meanwhile, as usual, we leave to last word to David 'Snowy' Pryor who said: 'I've always eaten British beef and I've never stopped even during the scare.

'I never really worried about the BSE scare like that - anyhow I'm still here!'