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EU to end British meat export ban EU to end British meat export ban
(about 1 hour later)
The export ban on livestock, meat and dairy products, imposed after the foot-and-mouth outbreak, is to be lifted from Saturday.The export ban on livestock, meat and dairy products, imposed after the foot-and-mouth outbreak, is to be lifted from Saturday.
A committee of EU vets decided to give initial approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports from Britain to EU countries.A committee of EU vets decided to give initial approval for the resumption of meat and animal product exports from Britain to EU countries.
But the ban will continue in the 10km (6.2 miles) zone around the Surrey farms at the centre of the outbreak.But the ban will continue in the 10km (6.2 miles) zone around the Surrey farms at the centre of the outbreak.
The UK ban on animals being moved to slaughter has already been lifted.The UK ban on animals being moved to slaughter has already been lifted.
The announcement was warmly welcomed by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn. 'Under control'
"This is a clear demonstration of the confidence which our European Union colleagues have in the disease-control measures that we have taken in this outbreak," he said. The decision has been welcomed by Prime Minister Gordon Brown who thanked farming communities for their patience.
"Cooperation and partnership working have been the key to achieving this outcome." "We're determined not just to learn the lessons but to get back to normal as quickly as possible. And I do thank the rural communities and the farming communities of this country for their patience and their forbearance," he said.
'Swift action' "It is by acting quickly and by acting decisively once we knew of the incidence of foot-and-mouth, that we've been able to bring it under control so quickly."
Scotland's Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the decision would be "a huge relief for thousands of families across the country - farmers, the red meat industry and all those involved in the process of getting meat from the farm gate to the plate".Scotland's Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the decision would be "a huge relief for thousands of families across the country - farmers, the red meat industry and all those involved in the process of getting meat from the farm gate to the plate".
Northern Ireland - which was exempt from the ban - will also be allowed to export via Britain, providing precautions are taken.Northern Ireland - which was exempt from the ban - will also be allowed to export via Britain, providing precautions are taken.
This is a clear demonstration of the confidence which our European Union colleagues have in the disease-control measures Environment Secretary Hilary Benn
EU Commission spokesman Philip Tod praised the "swift action" of the British authorities.EU Commission spokesman Philip Tod praised the "swift action" of the British authorities.
He said: "Imposing an immediate standstill on movements, imposing controls in the surveillance zone around the outbreaks, and quickly identifying the source have enabled us to take this step."He said: "Imposing an immediate standstill on movements, imposing controls in the surveillance zone around the outbreaks, and quickly identifying the source have enabled us to take this step."
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "This is a clear demonstration of the confidence which our European Union colleagues have in the disease-control measures that we have taken in this outbreak."
Fred Landeg, deputy chief veterinary officer for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said it was an "excellent result" for Britain and he expected trade to resume after the weekend.Fred Landeg, deputy chief veterinary officer for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), said it was an "excellent result" for Britain and he expected trade to resume after the weekend.
"There will be some administrative measures to put in place in terms of certification and, before animals can be exported under these strict rules, there has to be a three-day notice period," he said."There will be some administrative measures to put in place in terms of certification and, before animals can be exported under these strict rules, there has to be a three-day notice period," he said.
He added that the surveillance zone would be lifted subject to testing which would begin on 30 August.He added that the surveillance zone would be lifted subject to testing which would begin on 30 August.
Outside the EUOutside the EU
The situation is expected to be reviewed by the European Commission on 11 September.The situation is expected to be reviewed by the European Commission on 11 September.
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.
However, an export ban to countries outside the EU, imposed by the international veterinary organisation, the OIE, can only be lifted in early November, three months after the initial outbreak.However, an export ban to countries outside the EU, imposed by the international veterinary organisation, the OIE, can only be lifted in early November, three months after the initial outbreak.
Meanwhile, 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.Meanwhile, 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.
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.