Swiss ease meat import restrictions

Switzerland has eased restrictions on meat imports following the decline of the foot-and-mouth disease Keystone Archive

Switzerland announced on Thursday it is lifting restrictions on meat imports from most parts of Europe, because the foot-and-mouth crisis seems to be easing.

The ban on imports of live hoofed animals from the European Union, except Britain and the Netherlands, has been lifted. The measure also applies to veal, game and meat-based products.

The federal veterinary office in Bern said that a new study of the foot-and-mouth situation had allowed it to lift many of the border restrictions.

The office said that, for example, no new cases of the disease had been reported since mid-March in France and the Irish Republic.

However, it added that while the number of cases being reported daily in Britain had been cut to five or six from a peak of between 50 and 60, it was still too early to ease import restrictions from Britain.

Switzerland banned meat imports from Britain, the Irish Republic, France and the Netherlands six weeks ago. It also barred tourists from Britain bringing meat or meat products into the country.

swissinfo with agencies