March 2, 2006

EU extends ban on Brazilian beef until June

The EU has extended the ban on beef from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) infected areas in Brazil until June, said the EU Veterinary Committee on Feb 24.

The move was made after more FMD outbreaks were reported on six ranches in Brazil in the week ending Feb 24.

However, Ireland's Irish Farmers' Association National Livestock Committee Chairman John Bryan has called for a total ban on all South American beef imports. He claimed that the EU's lack of more stringent restrictions on South American beef imports is exposing the entire European livestock sector to more risks.

Meanwhile, the disease has surfaced in Turkey and Egypt. Egypt's first reported FMD outbreak since 2000 has affected 15 farms in the provinces of Alexandria, Behera, Cairo, Dakahlia, Dumyat, Fayum, Ismailia, and Menofia.