BLEATING RETREAT

The UK was atthe receiving end when theEuropean Court of Justice ruledrecently that a ban on export of livesheep imposed by it on Spain, wasunlawful. The Luxembourg courtruled that the UK agriculture ministry had been wrong to deny alicence to a sheep exporter statingthe reasons that Spain had notproperly implemented EuropeanUnion rules on the humane slaughter of animals. The judges ruledthat the UK was not in a position toproduce any proof of breach ofrules by the Spanish slaughter-house. They directed the Britishgovernment to pay compensationto the exporter, Hedley Lomas.