A BOLTON Euro MP has praised the European Commission for recommending that France be fined for not lifting its ban on British beef.

Chris Davies said it was proper that the country could be made to pay 158,250 euros a day unless it changed its mind.

Mr Davies said there was no scientific reason why France should keep the ban in place.

"British farmers have been through a lot recently and should not be penalised any further by one of our EU partners flouting the rules. The French government needs to think again.

"Europe's legal processes are slow and can be very frustrating but they do produce results," he added. Mr Davies said the size of the proposed fine showed that France's refusal to obey EU rules was being taken seriously.