The move is contrary to the actions taken by the UK Government which adopted a mass slaughter programme during last year's outbreak.

But any EU animal vaccination programme would still require European governments' approval, a commission spokesman said.

The commission is of the view that vaccination should be moved to the forefront... in the event of future outbreaks

David Byrne

Agriculture Minister Margaret Beckett said the UK Government was ready to work with other countries to prevent a repeat of the epidemic.

A hearing is being held in Brussels of a European Parliament inquiry into the handling of the outbreak.

Emergency plans

EU food safety commissioner David Byrne said he was bringing forward proposals for mass vaccination, especially emergency measures.

He said the EC still believed vaccination of "entire susceptible livestock" was not advisable but it should be at the forefront of any response to future outbreaks.

Tory MEP Neil Parish said this demonstrated that UK authorities should have been more ready to introduce vaccination during last year's crisis which saw more than 2,000 cases of the disease.

"The Commission's plan to take charge of a future outbreak reflects no confidence at all that this government has the competence and can be trusted to cope" he said.

But a commission spokesman said it would be up to the member state affected to introduce vaccination even if another state suggested it.

Mrs Beckett said the Commission already has the power to trigger emergency vaccination of animals if necessary.

Recommendations

The Royal Society's scientific report into the disease recommended emergency vaccination as an alternative to mass culling.

The government also held three inquiries into the disease, but did not hold a full public inquiry.

Vaccination was rejected during last year's outbreak partly because it would have cost farmers "disease-free" status in export markets.

The European Parliament's committee of inquiry is expected to produce final recommendations, which will not be legally binding, before the end of the year.