Foot and mouth outbreak triggers EU ban

The European commission has confirmed an indefinite EU ban on exports of all live animals from Britain.

The move comes in the wake of the country’s latest outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

A commission spokesman said the ban would be extended to meat and dairy products from the area of England that has been affected by the disease outbreak.

However, the spokesman added, "In order to reduce the economic impact of this outbreak, the commission has included a derogation whereby certain safe products will still be allowed to be exported."

These include animal products produced before 15 July, those treated in a way which would "inactivate" any possible virus or those which were manufactured in the UK but derived from animals reared outside its territory.

He said that subject to certain conditions live animals and animal product exports were still being allowed from Northern Ireland.

"An investigation into the source of the virus is still ongoing and the commission remains in very close contact with the UK authorities," he added.

The outbreak is an unwelcome reminder of the foot and mouth crisis that hit the British countryside in 2001, when more than 6 million animals were slaughtered and carcasses were burned on huge bonfires.

In the 2001 outbreak, the UK government was accused of reacting too slowly - but the commission says Britain has responded fully and promptly to its latest outbreak.

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