Brussels, 05/12/2001 (Agence Europe) - The United Kingdom is again to be authorised to export live pigs from some UK regions towards the other EU Member States, as well as beef and veal, goat and sheepmeat from a wider geographical area of its territory. With the approval, on Tuesday, of the Commission proposal along these lines, the experts of Member States within the Standing Veterinary Committee gave their go-ahead to further relaxation of the Community embargo on meat and live animals sensitive to foot and mouth, from the United Kingdom.
Thus, for the first time since the outbreak of the epizootic across the Channel, the United Kingdom may legally export live pigs from the Scottish Islands, the mainland of Scotland, certain eastern counties in Great Britain and several counties in Wales - regions where no infected animal has been noted since the epizootic broke out. In addition, the authorisation to export fresh beef, pigmeat, sheep or goat meat, will be extended to the following counties: Devon, Herefordshire, Lancashire and Powys.
These relaxation measures will take effect as soon as the decision is formally adopted by the Commission. Formal adoption will come within the next few days.