Brussels, 30/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - The EU, which has been hit by a new epizootic affecting sheep, goats and cattle, has called on its WTO partners not to over-react.
The EU informed the WTO sanitary and phytosanitary measures committee in the middle of the week about the Schmallenberg virus which is passed on by insects, such as mosquitoes and midges and affects cattle, sheep and goats, but is not transmissible to humans, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). The epizootic was discovered in November 2011 in Germany, then in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain. The EU says the Schmallenberg virus resembles the akbane virus which is found in Asia, Africa and Australia and which, similarly, does not affect humans. The EU calls, therefore, for a proportionate response on the part of its partners, adding that it had not taken any trade measures against the virus and urging WTO member countries to act in like fashion.
Because of fears raised by the Schmallenberg virus, Russia has, since 20 March, imposed an embargo on the import of pigs, cattle, sheep and goats from the EU. (EH/transl.rt)