NI foot-and-mouth export ban lifted

5 June 2001



NI foot-and-mouth export ban lifted

By Philip Clarke, Europe Editor

NORTHERN Ireland has been granted full regionalised foot-and-mouth status by the EU, signalling the return of its meat and livestock to international markets.

Exports of sheep meat, pig products and raw milk can resume from midnight Wednesday (June 6), EU vets meeting in Brussels decided.

Live pigs may also be shipped out on Thursday, though sheep producers will have to wait until July 1 before they can export live animals.

Cattle and beef exports remain suspended, due to separate BSE controls.

The development was described as another step on the road to normality, by agriculture minister, Brid Rodgers.

The fact that we have secured agreement to live animal exports is as a result of extensive blood testing undertaken so far, she said.

In total, about 250,000 samples from over 3000 farms have been tested for foot-and-mouth, all with negative results.

Exports of meat, milk and live animals were suspended following the provinces first case of foot-and-mouth in early March.

These restrictions were on the verge of being lifted in mid-April, when three further cases scuppered the plans.

The fact exports have now got the go-ahead was the result of efforts by farmers and the public to respect all movement restrictions, said the Ulster Farmers Union.

We must continue to fight the disease, but access to export markets will be a major confidence boost to our industry, said president, Douglas Rowe.

Live animal and milk exports were worth over 200m to the economy.

Four cases of foot-and mouth have been reported in Northern Ireland, the last on 22 April at Coagh, Cookstown in County Tyrone. The UK total is 1,703.

In a separate move, the Department of Agriculture has given sheep producers the go-ahead to move animals to common grazing land.

This is provided they have been blood tested and do not mix with cattle.

Marts may also be used as collection points for lambs going direct to slaughter.

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