Stand-down On Foot And Mouth
- August 26th, 2007
- Posted by EUEditor
The foot and mouth alert has eased in England.
Restrictions have been lifted (25.8.07) on the import of meat, live animals and dairy products into continental Europe from most areas of the United Kingdom – except for the ten kilometer disease control zone in Surrey.
It has been more than two weeks since a second reported outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in that county.
After receiving an update from British delegates the European Commission Standing Committee on animal health (23.8.07) unanimously supported the move on restrictions.
The containment of the deadly animal disease is being hailed a success following a rapid response by animal health and quarantine officials.
The President of Britain’s National Farmers’ Union, Peter Kendall, said the decision to restore general trade was a significant change for producers who had been vigilant and had cooperated with government.
“This is fantastic news, it shows the Standing Committee is happy with what has been done during the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and is clearly satisfied with the work the farming industry has done in ensuring the disease was contained in a small area,” he said.
The latest foot-and-mouth disease outbreak first occurred in Britain early this month, with two instances confirmed (3 and 7.8.07) both within the protection zone.
Animals from infected farms were been culled and the areas disinfected.
The changed restrictions will be reviewed on 11.09.07.
An export ban to countries outside the European Union, imposed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) will remain in place until early November.
Sian Graham
Reference:
National Farmers Union – UK, “‘Fantastic news’ – export ban is lifted says NFU.” http://www.nfuonline.com/x22335.xml (25.08.07)
European Commission, “Foot-and-Mouth Disease in GB: Standing Committee supports Commission Decision to reduce control measures to the surveillance zone around the two2 outbreaks”; Brussels; IP/07/1246, 23.08.07.
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
http://www.oie.int/eng/info_ev/en_FMDHome.htm (25.8.07)
Picture: Outbreak location – OIE