Swiss lift ban on French and Irish meat

Irish police efforts to prevent foot-and-mouth disease from entering the country are paying off Keystone

The Swiss authorities have decided to ease a ban on meat imports from France and the Irish Republic. Imports of beef and lamb from both countries are permitted with immediate effect.

The Federal Veterinary Office said on Monday that the decision was taken because no new cases of foot-and-mouth disease had been reported in France and the Irish Republic in the past month.

However, certain restrictions remain in place for meat imports from areas that were directly affected by the disease.

The Veterinary Office added that a ban on importing live hoofed animals from the entire European Union would remain in place.

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

swissinfo with agencies