January 13, 2005

EU Lifts Import Ban On Argentinean Beef

The EU has lifted its ban on Argentinean beef imports as it is satisfied that the country has eliminated foot and mouth disease.

The ban was imposed after an outbreak of the disease in September 2003.

"No new outbreaks have been reported in Argentina in the meantime, and inspection missions carried out in 2004 have shown that the situation has been normalized," the European Commission said.

To avoid introducing the disease to Bolivia and Paraguay, Argentina set up a 25-kilometre buffer zone along its border with the two countries.