Press Release: Foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom

On 27.2.01 the Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC) gave a favourable opinion on a Commission proposal to extend until 9 March 2001 the existing protective measures adopted in response to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom. The dispatch of live animals, fresh meat and meat products, milk and milk products and other animal products from the UK continues to be prohibited, unless the latter are treated appropriately. The proposal will be formally adopted by the Commission in the next few days and shall be reviewed at the meeting of the SVC scheduled for 6 and 7 March 2001.

Since 20 February 2001 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been declared in the United Kingdom. To date, 15 outbreaks have been confirmed in several regions of Great Britain.