February 26, 2008

UK moves to regain lost grounds after receiving an FMD-free status

UK has regained its FMD-free status from Office International des Epizooties (OIE), which UK hopes would be able to help in its ailing hog industry.

Trade within the EU has resumed quickly and BPEX, EBLEX and DEFRA has designed a programme targeting 24 countries in a bid to regain lost markets.

BPEX and EBLEX export manager, Jean-Pierre Garnier said exports to non-EU countries are worth more than US$137.7 million per year and they are an important in improving the domestic livestock sector's sustainability.

BPEX chairman Stewart Houston said the UK would also be working hard to open new markets such as China, especially in the face of industrial crisis due to rising feed costs and low prices.