Louth subject to regional foot and mouth restrictions
The EU standing veterinary committee has reached agreement on what to do about the export of Irish animals and animal products.
Brussels is allowing trade involving animal products from everywhere in Ireland, except Co Louth, subject to relevant certification.
However, the restrictions include the suspension of live exports from Ireland to other EU member states and third countries. It also includes a temporary suspension of fresh meat and meat products, dairy products as well as hides and skins and other animal products from what it calls susceptible animals in Co Louth.
A derogation is being granted for anything produced before February 20th and low-risk products such as pasteurised and heat treated milk, meat products and treatment of hides and skins.
Livestock and dairy vehicles must be disinfected and some restrictions on the movements of horses are likely to be imposed. The measures, similar to those imposed on Holland and France, will be reviewed by the committee on Tuesday.
Meanwhile in the North, the Ulster Farmers Union is asking how Brussels could have granted rationalisation to Co Louth so quickly after the outbreak there.
The union is questioning the move while the entire six counties is still prevented from exporting meat more than three weeks since the Meigh outbreak.
The number of foot and mouth outbreaks in the UK has now topped five hundred. In all, 501 cases have been confirmed across Britain.
