Monitor: Comment in the Sunday papers on how the trade dispute with France has affected Britain's relationship with Europe

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The Mail on Sunday

IT'S NOT over yet. Friday's favourable verdict from EU scientists was a major battle won in the beef war, but it has not brought ultimate victory. For, according to Whitehall, nearly 50 countries are still enforcing our ban on beef, and there can be little doubt that many are doing so because of the question mark still hanging over it because of the action by the French and Germans. It is the cynical cheating of our "partners" - and generally feeble response from Brussels - that largely accounts for the growing disillusionment of the British public with EU membership. The Prime Minister must surely see that if he is to reverse the hostility to our EU membership he must demonstrate that British interests are not damaged by the cynical and unpunished rule-bending of our partners.

Sunday Express

IF EVER there was a clear demonstration of how essential it is that Britain remains within the EU, it is the row with France over its refusal to import British beef. The facts are perfectly clear. France is acting illegally. As a member of the EU, we can ensure that she complies with the law. It may take far too long and we may tear our hair out at French obstinacy, but we have a watertight case, and one which will prevail. Outside the EU we would be stuffed. With no law under which to seek redress, we would have little choice but a tit-for-tat ban on French produce which would almost certainly escalate out of control.

Sunday People

THE OUTRAGEOUS action of the French in boycotting our beef is a scandal. And the EU must haul France back into line without delay. Last week British judges ruled that we acted illegally by barring the Spanish from buying up our trawler firms. Now they are in line for pounds 100m in compensation. Britain is prepared to abide by EU laws even when we do not like them. The European Union is a club. Not exactly a gentleman's club judging by the behaviour of some of our partners but still a club. But in a club ALL members must obey the rules for it to work.

The Observer

THE PRIME Minister's refusal to rise to the bait of Tory nationalism and press jingoism has been richly vindicated. But the best news is that Britain has been spared a pointless, destructive trade war which would have seriously damaged the already low reputation of the EU in Britain and made the coming arguments about the single currency even harder and rawer than they will be. For the first time in years the anti-Europeans are on the back foot and their advice can be seen for the ridiculous tub-thumping it usually is.

News of the World

BRITISH BEEF is among the safest in the world. European scientists are united in saying so. But 47 countries still have a ban on British beef. Tony Blair must put pressure on each of them to alter course. It is a trade worth pounds 520m a year. We must get it back, before more of our long- suffering farmers go the wall.

Independent on Sunday

TONY BLAIR'S Government admirably kept its head through the turmoil in the face of screaming British tabloids and barricade-burning French farmers alike. It must maintain the same cool now by offering unimportant concessions - on labelling or on BSE spotchecks - to allow the French Government the chance to save face in the climb-down it must now, inevitably, perform.