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EU to review UK meat export ban EU to review UK meat export ban
(about 7 hours later)
A committee of EU vets is to decide whether to give initial approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports from the UK. A committee of EU vets is to decide whether to give initial approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports from Britain.
Its members will consider if the UK-wide ban on exports to EU countries should be lifted. They will consider whether to lift the ban on British exports to EU countries imposed after foot-and-mouth disease was found at two Surrey farms in July.
The ban was imposed after the outbreak of foot-and-mouth at two farms in Surrey earlier this month.
Farmers hope the restrictions will be relaxed for all areas apart from the zone around the original outbreaks.Farmers hope the restrictions will be relaxed for all areas apart from the zone around the original outbreaks.
Meanwhile, the UK ban on animals being moved to slaughter has been lifted.
"Encouraging signs""Encouraging signs"
BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said the decision by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health would have a huge impact on UK farmers. BBC environment correspondent Sarah Mukherjee said the decision by the EU's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health would have a huge impact on UK farmers.
"Veterinary officials have said little in the run-up to negotiations this week - a sign of how much rides on the meeting," she said."Veterinary officials have said little in the run-up to negotiations this week - a sign of how much rides on the meeting," she said.
"Normally Britain exports more than £1m-worth of meat and animal products every week"."Normally Britain exports more than £1m-worth of meat and animal products every week".
Our correspondent added: "The signs are encouraging; earlier this week a commission official said the EU's view was that the threat of foot-and-mouth was receding in the UK."Our correspondent added: "The signs are encouraging; earlier this week a commission official said the EU's view was that the threat of foot-and-mouth was receding in the UK."
The outbreak has been contained and there have been no new outbreaks, so we're hoping Brussels will recognise that with their decision Martin Howarth, National Farmers' UnionThe outbreak has been contained and there have been no new outbreaks, so we're hoping Brussels will recognise that with their decision Martin Howarth, National Farmers' Union
The National Farmers' Union head of policy Martin Howarth said he was hopeful for a positive decision.The National Farmers' Union head of policy Martin Howarth said he was hopeful for a positive decision.
He said: "We feel we have done everything right. The outbreak has been contained and there have been no new outbreaks, so we're hoping Brussels will recognise that with their decision."He said: "We feel we have done everything right. The outbreak has been contained and there have been no new outbreaks, so we're hoping Brussels will recognise that with their decision."
The ban on the movement of cattle and sheep to abattoirs, imposed by the government, is being lifted on Thursday. Animals will be able to go to slaughter provided there is no change in the level of disease risk.The ban on the movement of cattle and sheep to abattoirs, imposed by the government, is being lifted on Thursday. Animals will be able to go to slaughter provided there is no change in the level of disease risk.
More testsMore tests
Farmers say exports could start again as early as the weekend if the EU lifts its ban.Farmers say exports could start again as early as the weekend if the EU lifts its ban.
It is unlikely all movement restrictions will be lifted before next month after further testing of animals in the surveillance zone around the farms where foot-and-mouth was found.It is unlikely all movement restrictions will be lifted before next month after further testing of animals in the surveillance zone around the farms where foot-and-mouth was found.
Vets will have to carry out more tests on animals close to the two farms, and the farms themselves will have to be thoroughly cleaned.Vets will have to carry out more tests on animals close to the two farms, and the farms themselves will have to be thoroughly cleaned.
The export ban would apply only to EU countries.The export ban would apply only to EU countries.
Such a ban imposed by the international veterinary organisation, the OIE, can only be lifted in early November, three months after the initial outbreak.Such a ban imposed by the international veterinary organisation, the OIE, can only be lifted in early November, three months after the initial outbreak.
Foot-and-mouth was confirmed in a herd of cattle at Woolford Farm in Surrey on 3 August.Foot-and-mouth was confirmed in a herd of cattle at Woolford Farm in Surrey on 3 August.
A second case, at a farm nearby, was confirmed on 7 August.A second case, at a farm nearby, was confirmed on 7 August.
Surveillance zones around these farms remain in place.Surveillance zones around these farms remain in place.
Tests on two other farms, one in Surrey and one Kent, and on animals at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, all proved negative.Tests on two other farms, one in Surrey and one Kent, and on animals at Chessington World of Adventures in Surrey, all proved negative.