WEST Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett has called for the suspension of Common Agricultural Policy payments to France unless the French ban on British beef is lifted by tomorrow (Friday).
The former farmer also asked Agriculture Minister Nick Brown this week to lift the beef on the bone ban before Christmas and to consider appointing an Ombudsman through whom the right of appeal could be made over MAFF decisions.
Mr Burnett said: 'The action of the French is unilateral and completely illegal. This step the French have taken is unjust.'
At recent meetings with supermarket leaders, Mr Burnett pressed the food giants to 'buy the best — therefore buy British'.
'We stick to the very strict rules on dietary and welfare issues making our beef the safest in the world.
'The beef on the bone ban should be lifted at once and the Agriculture Minister has hinted that he would do it. My reaction was that it should never have been banned in the first place.'
He described the news that French feed slurry to animals as 'repugnant'.
'We could never even start to feed slurry — it is completely unacceptable. We should obey our natural instincts and renounce this stuff,' said Mr Burnett.
And Ian Liddell-Grainger, West Devon Conservative spokesman, has written to every parish council in the constituency asking members to urge local people to retaliate by boycotting French produce.