Isle of Man Enforces Ban on Certain EU Imports to Prevent 'Goat Plague'
Source: DairyNews.today
In a bid to protect the Isle of Man's livestock from the highly contagious disease known as "goat plague" (Peste des Petits Ruminants, or PPR), the government has imposed a ban on the importation of specific sheep and goat products from the European Union. The ban, which includes postal imports of meat, cheese, and milk, is designed to safeguard the island's farming sector from a potential outbreak that could be devastating.
The virus, which has been responsible for the deaths of hundreds of sheep and goats across mainland Europe, particularly in Romania and Greece, does not pose a threat to humans but is highly contagious among animals. Dr. Amy Beckett, the Isle of Man’s Chief Veterinary Officer, emphasized the importance of the measures, stating that an outbreak could be "damaging" for the island's agricultural industry.
Strict import restrictions were already in place to prevent the movement of live sheep and goats fr om affected regions. However, the latest controls extend to prohibiting residents from bringing back sheep or goat products from affected EU countries, even in personal travel. Exceptions are made only for commercially produced and EU-standard packaged products from unaffected areas.
Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber reiterated the necessity of the ban: “The strict measures have been introduced to help lim it the spread of the disease and will remain in place until PPR no longer presents a risk to Manx sheep and goat populations.” Similar protective measures have also been implemented in England, Scotland, and Wales.
PPR, first reported in the Ivory Coast in 1942, has spread globally, posing a serious threat to livestock industries worldwide. With the Isle of Man's agricultural sector at stake, the government’s swift actions aim to prevent the disease from reaching its shores and safeguard the island’s farming livelihoods.
Strict import restrictions were already in place to prevent the movement of live sheep and goats fr om affected regions. However, the latest controls extend to prohibiting residents from bringing back sheep or goat products from affected EU countries, even in personal travel. Exceptions are made only for commercially produced and EU-standard packaged products from unaffected areas.
Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Clare Barber reiterated the necessity of the ban: “The strict measures have been introduced to help lim it the spread of the disease and will remain in place until PPR no longer presents a risk to Manx sheep and goat populations.” Similar protective measures have also been implemented in England, Scotland, and Wales.
PPR, first reported in the Ivory Coast in 1942, has spread globally, posing a serious threat to livestock industries worldwide. With the Isle of Man's agricultural sector at stake, the government’s swift actions aim to prevent the disease from reaching its shores and safeguard the island’s farming livelihoods.
23.09.2024
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