By Ewan Pate, farming editor

THE EU veterinary committee meeting in Brussels yesterday has agreed to further relaxations on meat exports from the UK.

It now means that the vast majority of the country can supply European markets under normal conditions.

However, exports of live animals, semen and embryos are still not permitted and are unlikely to be considered again until nearer the end of the year.

The veterinary committee, more formally known as the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health (SCoFCAH), had been widely expected to allow the relaxations following intensive lobbying, but there was disappointment that it will be at least next Wednesday before the new regulations are formally in place.

Brian Pack, chief executive of ANM Group Ltd which has interests in live auctions and meat processing, said, “The news is clearly welcome, but why does it take a week or more to take effect?

“It shows a lack of understanding of the depth of the problem, especially as regards the sheep sector.

“It is really vital that as lambs become ready they can flow into the export markets under normal conditions.

“Every day counts and this has to happen very soon to help clear the backlog of lambs which has built up.”

Stewart Wood, NFU Scotland vice-president, said, “The details of today’s decision are still sketchy but it looks like very good news.

“Getting exports back to normality will be a helpful boost for livestock farmers at what is a very difficult time.

“Over three months without normal exports has had a hugely detrimental effect on the livestock industry, particularly for sheep producers.

“The 21-day standstill restriction for exports was particularly crippling for many businesses and they will be glad to wave goodbye to that.

“Dairy farmers will still not be satisfied as they are still not in a position to export dairy bull calves, which currently have no market. We must continue to fight on that front.

“There may be some certification requirements on meat exports that we will need to look into in more detail but overall this is a badly-needed step forward for Scottish livestock farmers.”

No exports will be allowed from the four counties around the site of the August and September outbreaks at Pirbright in suburban Surrey, but they will be allowed from other counties in an outer zone within 150 kilometres of Pirbright.

Live animals will not be allowed to move out of this zone unless to slaughter.

Farms within this outer zone will still need to observe an export standstill of 21 days if any other animals have arrived on the unit.

The lack of a live export market will have some effect on pedigree sales but dairy farmers will be most affected.

Many are distressed at the continuing prospect of shooting dairy-bred bull calves which would have been exported under normal circumstances.

The resumption of exports of live animals, semen and embryos is not in the gift of SCoFCAH. The world animal health committee, the OIE, has to declare Britain officially foot-and-mouth free before any further moves on that front are made.

SCoFCAH also assessed the situation in Cyprus after cases of foot-and-mouth disease were detected in two sheep flocks over the weekend.

Measures to help stamp out and avoid the spread of the disease under EU law are being taken by the Cypriot authorities.

This includes slaughtering all sheep in the affected farms, as well as establishing a protection zone and surveillance zone around the infected area.

The Cypriot authorities have also prohibited the export of livestock and meat and categorised Cyprus as a high risk zone.

This means that there is a standstill on all livestock movements and no live cattle, sheep, goats or pigs can be exported from Cyprus.

Further tests are also continuing to determine the exact strain of the virus and EU experts have been sent to Cyprus to assess the situation.