August 24, 2007

EU lifts British beef export restrictions

Veterinary experts in EU agreed Thursday (August 23) to resume Britain's exports of meat, livestock and dairy products from August 25 onwards. The ban was imposed on August 6, following fears of a re-occurrence of the deadly foot and mouth disease that hit the UK economy in 2001.

Brussels-based European Commission (EC) said the trade will still be subject to veterinary controls with livestock and meat trade in the Surrey area will still be strictly restricted. Trade was resumed as the UK authorities acted swiftly in identifying and eradicating the problem, the EC mentioned. The restrictions are applicable until September 15, 2007 and will be reviewed at a meeting on September 11, 2007, the regulatory authorities stated.