Brussels, 19/09/2001 (Agence Europe) - France, Ireland and the Netherlands have regained their FMD-free (foot and mouth disease free) status under international rules, as decided by the OIE (Office International des Epizooties) at its 18/19 September meeting in Paris. The three Member States in question had lost that status when they decided to use targeted vaccination of their livestock in order to combat the outbreaks of foot and mouth disease in March 2001. Under OIE rules, countries can regain the disease-free status three months after the last case has been confirmed and stamped out and the slaughter of the last vaccinated animal, conditions that France, Ireland and the Netherlands have met. The OIE decision should enable the remaining restrictive measures of third countries on the import of live animals, fresh meat and meat products, fresh milk and milk products and other products from FMD susceptible animals to be lifted. Several third countries used the OIE classification to justify maintaining their embargoes despite the fact that in the Union itself, the restrictions were gradually lifted, region by region, in the Member States that vaccinated in certain restricted areas (see EUROPE of 14 June, p.9). Within the European Union, the only country that can not yet demand the lifting of Community restrictive protection measures, or request to be granted OIE FMD-free status for that matter, is the United Kingdom.