Food Law News - EU - 2001
Commission Memo (MEMO/01/83), 14 March 2001
FOOT-AND-MOUTH - EU Suspends Imports of Fresh Meat from Argentina
The Standing Veterinary Committee (SVC) of the EU has today reviewed the situation of foot and mouth disease in Argentina where continuous outbreaks were reported over the last months. The Committee gave a favourable opinion to a draft Commission proposal suspending importation into the EU of fresh meat from all susceptible species from Argentina due to the unclear situation of the foot and mouth disease in that country. The suspension will apply until the 15 April 2001.
Argentina was never considered to be foot and mouth disease free by the European Union and only deboned meat products which were appropriately treated could be imported into the EU. Certain regions in Argentina where foot and mouth disease was present could not export at all to the EU. However, the lack of clear and reliable information from Argentina on their current foot and mouth disease situation made it more and more impossible to apply this regionalised approach. In addition, Argentina has suspended their exports of fresh meat to the US, Canada and Chile but not to the EU.
A mission of the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) is scheduled to be carried out in Argentina to review the situation.
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