On 6 November the European Union (EU) agreed to relax the current foot and mouth disease (FMD) export restrictions on meat and meat products. On 19 November the FMD Restricted Zone was lifted and the new EU Decision came into force. If no further amendments are made to the EU Decision, the provisions on meat and meat products are expected to apply until mid December. The Decision has split the UK into three areas for the purposes of EU trade in meat and meat products:
1. FMD Free Export Area—Meat and products originating from susceptible animals in this area will be eligible for export under normal Community rules subject to certification. The FMD Free Export Area includes all parts of Great Britain, except those which lie within the FMD Restricted Export Area and FMD No Export Area as described below.
2. FMD Restricted Export Area—Meat and products originating from susceptible animals in this area will be eligible for export provided they meet certain conditions, including documentation confirming the completion of a 21 day standstill and residency period (a 7 day standstill in the case of pigs). The FMD Restricted Export Area includes:
Administrative unit
Brighton and Hove
Medway
Milton Keynes
Thurrock
West Berkshire
Bedfordshire
East Sussex county
Hertfordshire county
Kent
Oxfordshire county
Administrative unit
Wiltshire county
Gloucestershire county
Cambridgeshire county
Northamptonshire county
Warwickshire county
Swindon
Luton
Southend on Sea
3. FMD No Export Area—Meat and products originating from susceptible animals in this area are not allowed to be exported. The FMD No Export Area includes:
Administrative Unit
Bracknell Forest
City of Southampton
Reading
Slough
Swindon
Windsor and Maidenhead
Wokingham
City of Portsmouth
Buckinghamshire county
Hampshire county
Surrey
West Sussex county
London
Further information, including a map of the FMD Restricted Zone and the restrictions that apply, can be found on the DEFRA website. A further map, which highlights the three different export areas is also available.