December 4, 2007

EU eases FMD control in Britain, Cyprus

The European Union (EU) on Monday (December 3) has loosened its foot-and-mouth disease control measures in Britain and Cyprus as there have been no recent outbreaks reported in either country.

Veterinary experts from EU member states have allowed meat and meat products from the whole of Britain, except from Surrey and its nearby areas.

Unless no further FMD outbreaks are reported, all control measures for Britain will be lifted on December 31.

The experts also agreed that Cyprus should be allowed to resume exports of pork from all regions of the island apart from a 10-kilometre zone around the outbreak area, subject to stringent animal health conditions.

The conditions for pork exports include a 30-day pre-slaughter standstill for pigs used to produce the meat, with no new susceptible livestock introduced to the holding for 21 days prior to slaughter.

At the slaughterhouse, the animals must be killed immediately, and ante- and post-mortem inspections will have to be carried out.

The meat will then have to be quarantined for 24 hours and can only be dispatched if there was no suspicion of disease in the holding of origin.

For all other animals and meat products, the full protection and control measures still apply.