CSF blocks exports into EU
Romania and Bulgaria are not allowed to trade either live pigs or pork to other EU countries until at least October 2007.
This was decided by the EU’s Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health last Wednesday.
Last week the two countries were told to be welcome to join the EU at January 1st, 2007. However, both still are fighting Classical Swine Fever (CSF) outbreaks. In Bulgaria, this year seven outbreaks have been registered, in Romania over 500.
Contagion
In order to prevent contagion to other European countries, it was decided that transitional measures had to be taken.
Only certain heat-treated pork products from Romania and Bulgaria will be admitted into Europe. The rest has to be marked with a stamp and can only be consumed in the countries themselves.
Fighting programmes
The two countries set up intensive CSF fighting programmes. Romania’s eradication and vaccination plan has been approved this week, Bulgaria’s was endorsed in September.
Both countries will receive EU financial support for these programmes once they have entered the EU.
In July, Romanian agriculture minister Gheorghe Flutur said he hoped CSF would be eradicated by the end of the year. He also warned that it could break out again at any time.
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