HALTON'S Euro-MP Brian Simpson secretly smuggled British beef right into the heart of France this week - to condemn the French for refusing to allow British beef into their country.
A lover of British beef, he joined other Labour MEPs to call on the European Commission to take France to court should they persist with their ban.
"While I am aware of the concerns regarding BSE, I do believe that British beef is among the safest in the world," said Mr Simpson, Labour's agriculture spokesperson for the region.
"The French action has more to do with protecting French beef farmers than it has to do with BSE and is totally illegal."
The side of beef bought in Britain and taken over to Strasbourg in strict secrecy was later given away to a local charity, which was apparently grateful to receive it.
"Without doubt, our local beef farmers have suffered recently and this latest episode, unless resolved quickly, could be the final nail in the coffin for some farmers.
"I want to show my colleagues in the European Parliament that I eat British beef.
"I believe it to be an excellent product and I want to see it on dinner tables throughout Europe, sooner rather than later."
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