Germany has been warned it faces legal action unless it lifts its ban on British beef.

The European Commission is threatening to launch proceedings against Berlin, five weeks before the German parliament takes a vote on the matter.

Berlin has repeatedly promised to lift its ban on imports of British beef but has failed to do so.

Germany and France are the only EU member states which have refused to comply with an EU agreement last August to lift the ban.

The 20 Brussels Commissioners are now almost certain to launch legal proceedings against Berlin on Tuesday - refusing to wait any longer.

Regions to vote

A spokeswoman for EU consumer protection commissioner David Byrne said: "The Germans have told us there will be a vote of the regional ministers in the Bundesrat on 17 March, but we are not prepared to risk any further delays.

"The Germans have given several dates for fulfilling their obligations and lifting the ban and there have been repeated postponements.

"The commissioners will be asked by Mr Byrne on Tuesday to agree to start legal proceedings in order to prevent any further delays."

At least five of Germany's 17 regional governments want to keep the ban, and the issue goes to a majority vote on 17 March.

If that vote is in favour of lifting the ban, the legal proceedings can be halted immediately.

If not, legal papers against Germany could be lodged at the Luxembourg court by April.

Compensation demand

France, which insists there is still a health risk from British beef, is already facing legal proceedings in the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.

Mr Byrne was heavily criticised for his early decision to wait months in vain for France to fall in line.

UK shadow agriculture minister Tim Yeo called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to demand financial compensation from both the French and German governments.

The ban on British beef was imposed in March 1996 to ease consumer fears about the spread of so-called mad cow disease.