DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (371/08) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 20 November 2008
The UK is
officially free from Avian Influenza (AI) from today (20
November), according to the rules laid down by the World
Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
OIE rules require a three month interval between the final
cleansing and disinfection of premises involved in the outbreak
and official recognition of freedom from the disease.
The UK has not been able to export poultry and poultry products
to the majority of its traditional third country markets for the
last 12 months because of three AI outbreaks during 2007 and 2008.
Resumption of the UK's status as officially free from AI in
line with OIE rules will greatly assist negotiations by Defra and
industry partners to regain access to these markets.
Trade with other EU countries resumed on 8 July this year, under
separate EU rules on AI.
Notes to editors
See the Avian Influenza pages on the Defra website:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/diseases/notifiable/disease/ai/index.htm
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Press notices are available on
our website
http://www.defra.gov.uk
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