Trade of meat to resume for most of Great Britain

Changes to export rules have been agreed in Brussels today which will allow meat and meat products to be exported from certain areas of England, Scotland and Wales to other EU Member States.

Detailed discussions have taken place in Brussels to agree a regionalised approach which frees up trade from some parts of Great Britain. This applies to meat and meat products from FMD susceptible species to other EU Member States.

Secretary of State Hilary Benn welcomed this decision:

"Whilst I am aware of the difficulties that remain for some farmers, this is good news for the majority of farmers in Great Britain and reflects the extensive surveillance and epidemiological work that is ongoing. I hope that as exports resume this will ease the very real pressures farmers have been facing and we will continue to do all we can to enable exports to resume from the remaining parts of Britain as soon as possible. The outbreak remains confined to a relatively small part of the country today's decision demonstrates the confidence that the Commission and other Member States have in the measures that we are taking."

These changes are expected to come into effect on12th October, subject to there being no change to the current disease situation. We will be publishing detailed guidance on what this means for exporters shortly, and the conditions that will apply. This is expected to include a requirement for veterinary certification about the origin of the meat.

These changes do not affect national domestic controls on movements of live animals within Great Britain.

Markets for FMD susceptible ruminants (including cattle and sheep) are also due to reopen with effect from midnight tonight in the FMD Low Risk Area outside of the Bluetongue Protection and Control Zones.

It remains absolutely vital that all involved in the supply chain adhere strictly to licence conditions under which movements can take place and apply strict bio security measures. It is only through the co-operation of all that we will be able to maintain the good progress we have made so far towards easing restrictions where the risk indicates.

Currently, there are eight Foot and Mouth disease infected premises in the Surrey area. On Bluetongue, there are currently 24 infected premises in the Suffolk area.