French agriculture minister François Patriat confirmed that France will maintain its ban on UK meat imports until the latest foot and mouth scare has been confirmed as negative.

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The French government banned British meat imports last year and despite coming under pressure from the European Union, has yet to lift the ban.


The latest British FMD crisis came about on Tuesday after two sheep at a farm in North Yorkshire displayed mouth lesions, which are a symptom of foot and mouth. Initial tests proved negative but final results will not be reported until the weekend, after extensive laboratory tests.

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