German minister quits over BSE

Under fire: Fischer had faced accusations of complacency

German Health Minister Andrea Fischer has offered her resignation over the country's growing BSE crisis.

Ms Fisher, a member of the Green Party, had faced accusations of complacency over mad cow disease and its human equivalent, vCJD.

Germany had always insisted its cattle were BSE-free, but several cases have now been found, sparking consumer fears that the disease could have been transmitted to meat-eaters.

Official sources quoted by the Reuters news agency say the Agriculture Minister, Karl-Heinz Funke - also under fire over BSE - is also set to resign.

Ms Fischer, in an emotional news conference broadcast live on German television, said she had offered her resignation to Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in an attempt to try to restore consumer confidence.

She said she hoped the crisis would lead to a change of attitude towards consumer health, and she felt she could best serve that cause by resigning.

It was not made clear whether Mr Schroeder had accepted her resignation.