Schroeder wants less industrial farming

The German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, has announced a significant shift in agriculture policy as a result of Mad Cow Disease, or BSE.

Mr Schroeder called for new priorities, based on consumer protection, accusing the German farm industry of focusing on profits at the expense of food safety.

He also said he would try to persuade other European Union countries of the need for less industrial farming.

Chancellor Schroeder named the co-leader of the Green Party, Renate Kuenast, as new agriculture minister with added responsibilities for food and consumer protection.

The Greens have always blamed Mad Cow Disease on intensive farming and the pressure to produce cheap meat.

But Ms Kuenast said she believed consumers were willing to pay more for healthy food.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service