The deal with France, which will see five 'technical' issues examined, has been brokered without any firm guarantee over the imminent resumption of exports.

Shadow agriculture spokesman Tim Yeo said: "There will be massive dismay at the suggestion that even more conditions must be applied to British beef before it can be sold in France.

Tim Yeo: The French demands are unjustified

"Yet again, Labour is caving in to these totally unjustified demands from France, for which no scientific basis exists."

The meeting between Agriculture Minister Nick Brown and his French opposite number in Brussels ended without establishing a deadline by which France must act or face legal action from the EU.

'British beef is safe'

Reacting imediately to the news the National Farmers Union said it could not comment on the decision in detail until it had studied Mr Brown's announcement further, but a spokeswoman said: "We are certain British beef is safe."

She added that the union would be waiting until Thursday when the French food safety commission meets to make an announcement on the ban before deciding on their next step.

She added: "Last Friday's decision of the European Commission was conclusive as to the science of this.

"Obviously we want the ban lifted immediately."

Removing safety doubts

The Meat and Livestock Commisison reacted to the news with a spokesman saying: "If the minister has agreed to these further checks, then obviously we hope that they can be carried out as quickly as possible, because on the one hand we want to avoid any further delays, but we want to make sure that everybody is absolutely satisfied that British beef is safe.

"We believe it is safe, as an industry. We believe it is the safest in the world, given the steps that have been taken."