Brussels, 22/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - During the Agriculture Council, Commissioner David Byrne, felt, on Tuesday, with a certain degree of irony, that foot and mouth had "virtually disappeared" from the headlines, at the time that the epizootic seems to be under control. Spending under the Community budget is estimated at a total of between EUR 500 and 700 million to compensate the losses incurred by farmers. Close to 3 million animals from the species concerned have been slaughtered. David Byrne indicated his intention to present a new Directive on the measures to fight against foot and mouth, whose emphasis should notably cover the trade aspects (to prevent the closure of markets to European exports by third countries) and over the respect for the recommendations made by the International Organisation on Epizooties (IOE).