SHOPPERS in East Lancashire are being encouraged to boycott French foods until Paris lifts its import ban on British beef.

As Prime Minister Tony Blair urged French leaders to lift the embargo at a European Union summit in Finland, Ribble Valley Tory MP Nigel Evans said there was no justification for the stand.

He said: "I would encourage my constituents and others in East Lancashire not to buy any French food whatsoever until France lifts its import ban on British beef.

"The French are playing a dangerous game as they have no legal right to refuse to import British beef and people of the Ribble Valley, East Lancashire and Britain will not stand for it.

"If the French want to play dirty, then so shall we. Until they lift this ban I shall be encouraging my constituents and consumers in East Lancashire generally to join me in not buying French food."

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