EU vets relax sheepmeat export ban

22 November 2001



EU vets relax sheepmeat export ban

By FWi staff

EUROPEAN Union vets have agreed to relax export rules so the UK can export sheepmeat from counties declared officially free of foot-and-mouth.

The Standing Veterinary Committee agreed on Wed, Nov 21 to extend permission to counties other than those which have had no cases of the disease.

This means sheepmeat exports will be able to restart from parts of the country such as Dumfries and Galloway and the borders.

Jim Walker, president of NFU Scotland, said the export decision marked an
important watershed on the road to recovery for the industry.

Export restrictions have gradually been relaxed and now the whole of Scotland has permission to export pig, beef and sheep meat under strictly controlled conditions.