The EU Commission has restored the FMD free disease status of most of Britain. The extra certification required when exporting meat and dairy products to other member states will be removed. This will improve Britain’s ability to export live animals. However as a precautionary measure the export ban on live animals from the low risk area, about 50km around the outbreak sites, will continue in the meantime.
The Minister said: “The last four months have been a tough time for the local industry and I would again like to thank Executive colleagues and our industry partners for their support in helping to overcome local trading issues during this difficult time.
“Particular thanks is also due to my southern counterpart Minister Coughlan for all her efforts to help all of us make the ‘Fortress Ireland’ approach such a success. Our joint actions following confirmation of the outbreak ensured that the island remained disease free and has assisted in this swift return to normality for our European export markets.”
Minister Gildernew also took the opportunity to praise local farmers’ implementation of DARDs’ biosecurity message, adding that: “We must all continue to maintain high standards of biosecurity, given the local industry’s reliance on export markets for meat and dairy products.”
She continued: “This decision by the Commission is good news for the local industry, with our conditions for export returning to those required prior to the FMD outbreak in Surrey. Our exporters will no longer need to provide the extra certification required for exports of animals, meat and dairy products.”
Outlining the global exports situation, the Minister highlighted that DARD Officials were working closely with Defra to regain our local export status as soon as possible but added that some markets may not be available until January 2008, when Britain’s FMD free status would be restored for international trade.
A copy of the Revised General Licence is available at: www.dardni.gov.uk
Notes to Editors:
Further information on today’s decision is also available from Defra and the other devolved Administration Agriculture Department’s websites at www.defra.gsi.gov.uk; www.scotland.gov.uk; www.countryside.wales.gov.uk ; and www.dardni.gov.uk
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