IP/08/26
Brussels, 10 January 2007
Foot and Mouth Disease measures eased in Cyprus A Commission Decision to ease the foot and mouth disease (FMD) restrictions in Cyprus was endorsed by the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health today. In light of the fact that there have been no new outbreaks of the disease since early November and of the results of the sero-surveillance programme that has been then implemented, it was agreed that the whole of Cyprus could be categorised as a "low risk" zone. This means that movement restrictions will no longer apply and the meat and products of susceptible animals will be allowed to be traded without significant restrictions. However, as a precautionary measure and to comply with international requirements, the export of live animals, semen and embryos from Cyprus will still be banned. If the disease situation remains favourable, all FMD measures for Cyprus are due to expire at the end of January. The Standing Committee was also informed that all protection measures related to foot-and-mouth disease expired in Great Britain on 31st December 2007. The UK reported its last outbreak of FMD in September 2007, and stringent control measures were implemented to successfully contain and eradicate the virus. For more information, see:
http://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/diseases/controlmeasures/qa_fmd_en.htm
