INFORMATION BULLETIN
Date: 19 October 2007
Nobel House, 17 Smith Square, London SW1P 3JR
Out of hours telephone 020 7270 8960
FMD update: trade of meat to resume for more of England
Bluetongue update: change to control zone
Changes to export rules have been agreed in Brussels today which will allow meat and meat products to be exported from more areas of England to other EU Member States. Rules for exporting meat and meat products have also been eased.
This follows the previous Commission decision which came into effect on 12 October allowing trade of meat from some parts of the country. Today’s decision means that trade will be able to take place from most of England, subject to strict conditions. We expect these new rules to come into effect next week.
Deputy Chief Vet, Fred Landeg, said:
“This is a welcome decision from the Commission and other Member States. It demonstrates the confidence they have in the measures we are taking to eradicate FMD through our ongoing extensive surveillance and epidemiological work.”
We will be publishing detailed guidance on what this means for exporters shortly, and the conditions that will apply.
It remains vital that all involved in the supply chain adhere strictly to the requirements of any licence which allows this trade to take place safely and maintain the confidence of our trading partners. It is only through the co-operation of all that we will be able to keep up the good progress we have made so far towards easing FMD restrictions where the risk indicates it is safe to do so.
These changes do not affect national domestic controls relating to FMD and Bluetongue on movements of live animals within Great Britain.
On Bluetongue, the Control Zone in Kent is being extended into East Sussex following confirmation today of a case near Rye. The Bluetongue Protection Zone is also being slightly amended accordingly. This reflects the UK’s Bluetongue Control Strategy and EU legislation.
Currently, there remains eight Foot and Mouth disease infected premises. On Bluetongue, there were 45 infected premises at 5pm on 18 October .
Further information
Further information and maps can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/footandmouth or www.defra.gov.uk/bluetongue
Further information is available via the Defra Helpline on 08459 335577 (open 8am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am – 5pm on Saturday and Sunday). Farmers can also call the Animal Health 24 hour recorded information line (0844 884 4600) for up-to-date information on the latest developments.
End
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Page published: 19 October 2007 12:40