By Peter Blackburn

BRUSSELS, March 25 (Reuter) - Senior EU veterinary officials on Monday discussed steps to prevent the collapse of Britain's beef industry and restore public confidence after evidence that "mad cow" disease could spread to humans. Nearly all European Union countries and a growing number from outside the bloc stopped imports of British beef following London's disclosure last Wednesday of a possible link between bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and a human equivalent. "We are looking for a ban on imports of British beef and beef products until it's absolutely clear on which farms BSE has occurred," Stan Van Der Meys, the Dutch delegate to the committee said as he entered the meeting. The Netherlands, along with France, Italy and Belgium, was one of the main EU importers of British beef. The European Commission is due to present proposals for tighter controls on Monday afternoon. "The proposals will be presented after the officials have discussed recommendations put forward by scientific experts on Friday,

" said the Commission's agriculture spokesman, Gerard Kiely. The member state officials must approve the package, which is likely to include slaughtering all animals at risk, by a weighted majority before the Commission can adopt measures. But some officials said that because the "mad cow" crisis was a major political issue and could involve massive EU expenditure it might be referred to EU ministers. Independent EU veterinary experts called on Friday for stricter curbs, including slaughtering all cattle at risk -- notably older animals that might have eaten contaminated feed. Britain's delegate to the meeting said he hoped the EU would not call for a ban on British beef. "I am hopeful there will be a continuation of trade out of (Britain)," Keith Meldrum, Britain's chiefveterinary officer told reporters.

At an unrelated meeting nearby, EU foreign ministers also expressed their desire to calm public fears. "Everyone is worried so I think that the European institutions will have to deal with it," German European affairs minister Werner Hoyer said. The British government, which has been criticised for doing too little too late, was considering announcing the slaughter of one third of Britain's 11-million cattle herd in a drastic effort to stamp out the disease. British Agriculture Minister Douglas Hogg said on Sunday that he would seek substantial financial assistance from the EU. Kiely said a special EU fund would have to be created as there were insufficient resources under existing arrangements. Some estimates put the cost at billions of dollars. With beef prices plunging towards EU support levels as shoppers switch to white meat, such as pork and poultry, British farmers may start offering massive amounts into public stores where they would receive a guaranteed price. But store managers normally only accep

t beef that can later be resold onto domestic or export markets. "If the EU committee decides that British beef is safe to eat then it will clearly be eligible for intervention," Kiely said. "We haven't refused anything, (the question) hasn't even arisen yet." EU producers have not offered any beef into intervention for many months. Stocks have fallen to 8,000 tonnes, from a peak of 1.8 million tonnes in September 1993. EU Consumer Affairs Commissioner Emma Bonino has pressed for a broader debate on the mad cow crisis. "It goes beyond agricultural and veterinary issues. European consumers must be informed," said Bonino's spokesman, Filippo di Robilant, adding that the EU's scientific committee on food should be involved.