EU Extends Livestock ControlsLivestock markets across the European Union are to be closed for two weeks in an effort to contain foot-and-mouth disease.The move by EU veterinary experts covers all animals, including cattle, pigs and sheep, susceptible to the disease. The EU panel also proposed extending the ban on British exports of livestock, meat and dairy products until March 27, when it will be reviewed again. It also said tyres on vehicles being driven from Britain to the continent must be disinfected. But the vets, meeting on Tuesday, said they would allow European transport of animals direct from farms to the slaughterhouse and between farms, subject to approval from relevant authorities. The proposals are set to come into force once they are formally adopted by the European Commission, with a decision expected this week. David Byrne, EU Commissioner for Food Safety, had earlier rejected calls for mass vaccinations, saying it would be too costly. The proposals came despite British ministers telling their EU partners that the outbreak of foot-and-mouth may be close to peaking. European Commission spokesman Thorsten Muench information from the British was "rather reassuring," adding: " The (British) authorities expect a peak today, tomorrow or through this week." Cases of foot-and-mouth disease continue to rise in Britain, with 80 confirmed outbreaks, but there have been no confirmed cases in the rest of Europe amid widespread testing and culling of potentially infected animals. Foot-and-mouth disease, which does not harm humans, causes blisters on the hooves and mouths of sheep, pigs, cattle and goats, undermining their economic value. |
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