Brussels, 21/09/2004 (Agence Europe) - The standing committee on the food chain and animal health, made up of representatives of the Member States, is in favour of the Commission's proposal to lift the Community embargo in place since November 1998 on exports of bovine meat originating from Portugal. The legislative texts are still to be adopted formally by the Commission and published in the Official Journal, and will then enter into force immediately.
An inspection team from the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) last February showed that: Portugal has taken all the necessary measures to come into line with the 2001 Community legislation on the fight against BSE; the incidence rate of BSE in the country is far lower than the threshold set at international level for countries with a moderate risk of BSE; the BSE rate is falling in Portugal, as demonstrated by the results of screening tests.
"Portugal has made very significant efforts to deal with its BSE situation, and will now reap the rewards of resumed trade. As I approach the end of my term in office, I am very pleased to see that consumer confidence in beef has finally returned as a result of the effective efforts made by all EU countries in the management of BSE", said Commissioner David Byrne.