10 countries outside EU sign up to accept meat from UK

Mar 31 2008 by Tom Patterson, The Journal

THE livestock industry has taken a major leap forward in its battle to recover export markets lost because of foot-and-mouth disease.

A campaign launched by Defra, the British Pig Executive and the English Beef and Lamb Executive has so far persuaded 10 countries to re-open trade with Britain.

The countries are Algeria, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand and the USA.

Hong Kong had already restarted trade with Britain.

Bpex and Eblex export manager Jean-Pierre Garnier said: “We are extremely pleased with the progress we have made.

“We are also in advanced discussions with 10 other key target markets, including China, Japan, Korea, Russia and the Ukraine.

“There are visits from foreign veterinary teams planned in the near future.

Last year’s outbreak in Surrey was traced to a leak from the Pirbright Laboratories, home to commercial laboratory Merial and the Institute of Animal Health.

A well as the animals that were slaughtered, farmers all over the country lost thousands of pounds because of restrictions on animal movements.

It was eventually traced to “a systematic failure” in the biosecurity arrangements at Pirbright.

Since February 19, Britain has officially been foot-and-mouth free, but a lot of hard work has been required to rebuild markets.

Mr Garnier said: “Veterinarians from overseas are genuinely impressed by the thoroughness of the UK approach to last year’s FMD outbreak. …

“The positive results stemming from this programme provide a very good example of effective collaboration between Defra and the meat and livestock industries.”

Trade in the EU restarted about three months ago.