World IN BRIEF : BRITAIN : EU Orders Ban on British Beef Exports

Citing a “crisis of confidence” among consumers, the European Union ordered Britain to stop exporting cattle, beef and beef products because of the “mad cow disease” that has recently been linked to deaths in humans. At the same time, the EU indicated a willingness to provide an unspecified amount of money to help Britain cope with the collapse of its $780-million beef export market. In London, British Agriculture Secretary Douglas Hogg complained that the ban was an overreaction based on consumer fears rather than scientific evidence.