Beef will be back in Oxfordshire schools from September.

County councillors have voted for its return to school menus after a two-year absence. In a lively meeting, those in favour won the day by 37 votes to 17.

Liberal Democrat Bob Johnston claimed research may yet prove that cows were wrongly blamed for the BSE crisis.

He said: "Let's face it, there is always risk in life - you cannot eliminate risk. One of the fascinating things that has emerged is the suggestion it wasn't beef at all, but a contaminated batch of vaccine. "As a scientist I look at the evidence and that would certainly explain why a number of people who died from CJD have been vegetarians."

He added there was no reason not to put beef back on the menu in schools and at county-run children's homes.

But Labour's Margaret Ferriman said: "Throughout the debate we have voted against the re-introduction of beef, particularly as it will be offered to the county's children. We continue to oppose this." And Sushila Dhall, of the Greens, told the meeting: "I dare say beef is not the only thing we are eating which has some danger in it. It is not just cows that are eating an unnatural diet."

In the vote, the council also resolved to buy British food wherever possible.

Story date: Wednesday 12 May

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