Organic methods proposed for beef farmers

Further plans to combat mad cow disease -- or BSE -- and also to cut beef over-production, have been outlined to the European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg.

The EU Farm Commissioner, Franz Fischler, said emergency proposals costing about one-billion dollars would extend until the end of the year a mass cull of older cattle, and also give farmers cash incentives to turn to less-intensive organic farming.

Mr Fischler said the beef market had almost collapsed because of the BSE crisis.

Opening the parliamentary session earlier, the European Commission president, Romano Prodi, called for a public debate about where the EU is headed.

He said differences between member states over reforms could be overcome. The parliament has also been debating a new directive to regulate the marketing of genetically modified, or GM, food, with companies being obliged to spell out any health and environmental dangers.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service