Press Release: Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Control measures agreed for Cyprus; UK measures amended

Member States have backed a Commission Decision on protection measures due to foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus. The decision follows the confirmation of the outbreak by the Cypriot authorities on 5 November 2007 based on the results of tests carried out by the Community Reference Laboratory in Pirbright (UK) which were positive for the O type of the virus, and the detection of clinical signs in some sheep. The Cypriot authorities had reported suspicions of FMD in sheep in the Larnaca District some days before, and had on that basis already implemented the measures which the Decision confirms. The Commission has also sent 2 experts from the EU emergency veterinary team to Cyprus to provide technical on-the-spot support. The Standing Committee also endorsed a Commission proposal to amend further the foot-and-mouth disease restrictions in Great Britain, due to the favourable disease situation there.