US lifts curbs on NI livestock

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/6952862.stm

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The US has lifted restrictions on Northern Ireland livestock following a foot-and-mouth outbreak in Surrey earlier this month.

Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew welcomed the speed of the decision to remove the trade restrictions.

"This was one of the specific trading difficulties which was raised in our recent discussions with the meat and dairy industry," she said.

NI was already excluded from EU curbs on UK livestock and dairy.

"I am confident that this decision is a direct result of our decisive action on 3 August, when we immediately prohibited the importation of all FMD susceptible livestock from Britain," the minister added.

"We will continue to work on behalf of local industry to try to remove any further export difficulties.

"In our meetings with industry stakeholders they have said that there are now relatively few problems in the EU and the recently introduced certification is working well."