European action against BSE

Agricultural officials in Ireland today will begin to slaughter all cattle more than thirty months old which have not been tested for BSE, or mad cow disease.

The scheme, under which the officials say up to six-hundred-thousand cows are expected to be killed, is intended to restore consumer confidence in one of the country's biggest industries. Last year Ireland had a record number of cases of BSE ,all involving older animals. Meanwhile in France, trade unions representing the meat industry have begun a blockade of roads across the country in protest at what they say is the government's failure to resolve the crisis over BSE. The unions say thousands of jobs have been put at risk by the crisis and they are demanding compensation.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service