Backflip over mad cow beef ban. The importation of beef from countries that have had outbreaks of mad cow disease will be delayed by at least two years following a backdown by the Rudd government. The review comes eight days after the lifting of a ban on beef imports from countries that have had the disease. [News Source]

Families lose battle over vCJD compensation scheme. The families of victims of the brain disease vCJD have lost a High Court challenge over what they claimed was a "flawed" compensation scheme. [News Source]

Anger at beef import delay (The Australian) THE US and the EU are dismayed by the Rudd government's decision to delay importing beef from countries exposed to mad cow disease. [News Source]