British Beef Getting A Break

The European Commission agreed Wednesday to slightly ease its ban on British beef exports by allowing Britain to sell bull semen and beef-derived tallow and gelatin. But it strongly rebuked Britain for its defiant decision not to cooperate with Europe until the broader ban is lifted.

The commission’s decision, which also requires Britain to set up new safety measures to prevent the spread of so-called mad cow disease, is to take effect over the next few weeks.

It means that Britain can resume its $46 million-a-year trade in beef byproducts, a boost for the embattled government of Prime Minister John Major.