The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union, has decided not to apply for an emergency injunction to force France to lift its ban on British beef.

The Commission wanted to ask the European Court of Justice to oblige Paris to lift its ban on British beef at once.

But the commission's lawyers advised it the Court was unlikely to approve the interim measure as France maintained the ban on public health grounds.

The BBC Brussels correspondent says the only means remaining at the Commission's disposal is to pursue its lawsuit against France, which can take many months before a final judgement is reached.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service