MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands Government. PRESS RELEASE.

Foot and Mouth Disease

Because of the outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease in the United Kingdom a Proclamation will be issued today which will come into effect immediately and remain in force until further notice.

The Proclamation will prohibit the importation from the United Kingdom of fresh and frozen meat (except poultry) and meat products, milk and milk products. The Proclamation will not apply to the importation of any fresh or frozen meat or milk or milk products imported on a ship which sailed from the United Kingdom before 21st February 2001. It will not apply to anything obtained from elsewhere and merely in transit through the United Kingdom - for example from the Republic of Ireland or Uruguay. Nor will the Proclamation prohibit the importation of anything imported with the written permission of the Director of Agriculture.

Fresh meat and meat products includes chilled or frozen meat, sausages and uncooked meat pies and pasties and meat of every kind (except poultry) which has not undergone any preserving process (freezing or chilling are not, for this purpose a preserving process but full cooking is).

Milk and milk products includes anything made from or containing anything derived from milk. This includes cheese, butter, yoghurt and milk powder. It does not however include UHT milk or UHT cream or anything containing milk or a milk product which has been fully cooked (e.g. chocolates and ice-cream).

Contacts:

1.Steve Pointing, Senior Veterinary Officer (tel: 27366) 2.Bob Reid, Director of Agriculture (tel: 27350)