DATE=3/13/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-273663

TITLE=HOOF AND MOUTH / E-U (L-UPDATE)

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=BRUSSELS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDS: UPDATE 2-273656 WITH NEW INFORMATION///

INTRO: European Union (EU) veterinary experts have agreed to a two-week ban on livestock exports from France after the discovery there Tuesday of continental Europe's first case of hoof and mouth disease. VOA correspondent Roger Wilkison reports from Brussels that the veterinarians also recommended banning the shipment of meat and dairy products from the area in northwestern France where hoof and mouth disease was detected.

TEXT: After debating all day over what measures to take to prevent the disease from spreading further throughout mainland Europe, veterinarians from the EU's 15 member countries recommended that the bloc's executive commission take strong action.

European Commission spokeswoman Beate Gminder outlines the measure recommended by the EU veterinary experts.

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The EU has decided today not to export any longer any animals which are susceptible to foot and mouth disease from France until the 27th of March. It has also decided that the two departments (provinces of France), which are concerned most where the outbreak has taken place, cannot export not only live animals but also derived products and milk products.

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The ban is expected to go into effect when approved by the European Commission, probably on Wednesday. It affects cattle, sheep, goats and pigs, as well as any other hoofed species at risk from the disease.

Ms. Gminder says the veterinarians hope the outbreak of the disease on the continent will remain limited to Mayenne, a French department (province) where it was detected on a cattle farm. French agricultural officials say they believe it is an isolated case because of the farm's proximity to another farm where a flock of sheep was imported from Britain over the past three weeks. That was just before the EU slapped a ban on exports of British meat, milk and livestock after an outbreak of the disease in several parts of Britain.

Meanwhile, France's neighbors have taken steps of their own to prevent the disease from spreading beyond French borders. Belgium announced an immediate ban on hoofed livestock from France, and the Netherlands extended a ban on the transport of sheep and now includes a ban on cattle, pigs and goats. Germany's agriculture ministry advised travelers crossing from France into Germany not to bring French foodstuffs into the country. (Signed)

NEB/RW/GE/KBK