THE French yesterday postponed their threat to Britain's lamb trade.

It had been feared that from Monday they would unilaterally demand the removal of the spinal cord from all imported lambs over the age of six months.

But, following intensive work by the Meat and Livestock Commission and industry organisations at home and abroad, they yesterday said trade could continue as normal.

Meat and Livestock Commission manager in France Remi Fourrier, said: "The lamb trade is extremely important to both countries and our aim was to make both the French industry and the Government aware of the potentially devastating effect the move could have.

"We are delighted these proposals have been postponed, though we are still waiting for details. This gives us a breathing space to continue our work to get these proposals scrapped. In the meantime, French consumers can continue to enjoy the delights of British lamb."

The announcement was made at yesterday's EU Council of Ministers meeting by French Agriculture Minister Herv Gaymard.

Britain's lamb trade with France in 2000 was worth more than £155m and it would have been halted if the proposals had gone ahead.

Franz Fischler, EU Farms Commissioner, had spoken out against the planned unilateral action, saying there was no justification for it.

The European Commission yesterday also told France it had just 15 days to lift its illegal ban on British beef, or face severe penalties.