English Pigs Exports BannedThe European Commission has banned exports of English pigs following a recent outbreak of swine fever on farms in East Anglia.The ban will cover live exports of pigs and pig sperm for breeding purposes and lasts until the end of the month. Pork exports are not affected. In response to the ban, foodstore chain Asda has threatened to remove Belgian pate from its stores unless the embargo is lifted soon, or if it is extended to cover all pork products. Agriculture minister Baroness Hayman met with pig farmers in Suffolk on Monday night and stressed that the ban was purely "precautionary". Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain had already banned the export of British pigs to their countries while awaiting the EC decision. |
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