A CREWE county councillor is seeking guidance from the Government following the controversy over French meat.

Cllr Peter Nurse, chairman of the county's education committee assured members of the full council on Monday that everything would be done to 'identify and eliminate' any possible risk to school children in Cheshire.

His response came after questions from committee members concerned at accusations from the European Commission that sewage sludge was being used in the production of French animal feed.

The county has 41,000 school meals served every day in 300 schools and does import some of its meat but checks on its origins were due to be carried out on Tuesday.

Cllr Nurse said he appreciated the concern but added: "We are anxious to act within European Law.

"It is the French who are apparently breaking European Law and we expect the Commission to take action to protect British agriculture and consumers.

"MAFF can guide us on this matter and provide the urgent clarification needed.

"I shall be seeking that guidance from the Ministry and also raising the matter with our own contracts board which holds it's next meeting on Wednesday."

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