Babies stay on beef

Professor John Pattison, head of SEAC, the independent advisory committee on mad cow disease, said yesterday that he would not give beef to his three-month old grandson who had never eaten meat, but his nine-month-old granddaughter would continue eating beef, writes Chris Blackhurst.

Speaking on Radio 4's Farming Today programme, Professor Pattison said he had a grandson, aged 3 months, who has yet to eat beef.

"My daughter and son-in-law are simply going to wait another six or 12 months to see what happens before introducing him to beef," he said.

As for his granddaughter, "Our son and daughter-in-law have actually given our granddaughter some beef. They actually prepare the babies' meals from the same material that they use for their own meals." The professor was criticised by Labour for spreading further confusion.