Brussels, 12/07/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Union's Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC) voted for the prolongation of Community protection measures against foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom and Uruguay, and for the adaptation of the protection measures against classical swine fever in Spain, in relation to the developments of the disease in the country. By doing so, the SVC approved the Commission's proposals which will adopt them formally in the coming days. Here are the detailed contents on the decisions:
Foot-and-mouth in the United Kingdom: the restrictions in place, which were to apply until 20 July, will be extended to 30 September. They concern the ban on the export of live susceptible animals, fresh meat and meat products, fresh milk and milk products from those species, unless the latter are treated appropriately.
In a statement, the SVC acknowledges progress made regarding the control of the disease in most regions of the United Kingdom (in view of the report submitted by the British delegation on 11 July), but says it shares the concerns of the country's veterinary services as to the outbreak or recurrence of foot-and-mouth within or close to currently infected areas. Regarding it necessary to maintain a high level of awareness-raising and preparation for this disease throughout the Community, it urges the relevant authorities and partners in all Member states to maintain their vigilance, in view of eradicating foot-and-mouth throughout the Union.
Foot-and-mouth in Uruguay: the embargo on the import of live susceptible animals from Uruguay will be extended until the evolution of the disease has been stabilised and the national authorities have remedied the inadequacies revealed in the control measures in place, during an inspection, end-June, by the Commission's Food and Veterinary Office.
Classical Swine Fever in Spain: two new cases having been detected recently in a new area (provinces of Valencia and Cuenca), the ban on the export of live pigs and their sperm, ovules and embryos will be extended until 31 July, including in its field of application this new zone but excluding unaffected areas. It will cover: a) the autonomous community of Cataluna: all the comarcas in the province of Lerida (area where most outbreaks have been identified);the comarcas of Anoia in the province of Barcelona; the comarcas of Conca de Barbera, Priorat and Rivera d'Erbre in the province of of Tarragona; b) in the autonomous community of Valencia; the comarcas of Chelva, Llira, Requena, Torre Baja in the province of Valencia; c) in the autonomous community of Castilla la Mancha: the comarcas of Landete, Canete and Motilla del Palancar in the province of Cuenca; d) in the autonomous community of Aragon, the municipalities of Arcos de las Salinas, Torrijas and Abejuelas in the province of Teruel.
This SVC will review this decision at its next meeting, scheduled for 24 July.