Brussels, 12/04/2001 (Agence Europe) - In addition to the existing restrictions on the export of fresh meat, meat products, milk and dairy products from twelve regions of the Netherlands, the European Commission decided on Wednesday evening (as we have already reported) to ban the circulation of lorries and vans transporting meat and fertiliser products throughout the entire country (see yesterday's EUROPE, p. 8). Milk can only be collected within non-infected areas and subject to strict disinfection conditions.
The Commission also took supplementary precautionary measures at EU level such as a ban on the movements of at-risk live animals (sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and other cloven hoofed animals) and products made from them from the Netherlands to the rest of the EU and third countries. The situation will be re-examined by the Standing Veterinary Committee at their 19 April meeting. Commissioner David Byrne will be travelling to the Netherlands on 18 April.