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NI foot-and-mouth message 'clear' NI food exports given EU backing
(about 3 hours later)
The message that NI produce is free from foot-and-mouth disease is getting across to the rest of the world, the deputy first minister has said. Northern Ireland food exports have been given a vote of confidence by Brussels.
The European Standing Committee for Food Safety and Animal Health said the ban on livestock and dairy from Great Britain would continue until 25 August.
However, NI is excluded from those restrictions. Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew said it was good news for the farming industry.
"This is the EU vets agreeing with our scientific analysis that we are not in the foot-and-mouth zone," she said.
"We can continue to trade on the island of Ireland and beyond."
Earlier on Wednesday, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness said the message that NI produce was free from foot-and-mouth disease was getting across to the rest of the world.
Martin McGuinness was speaking to reassure local firms which experienced problems exporting to Japan, Germany and south America.Martin McGuinness was speaking to reassure local firms which experienced problems exporting to Japan, Germany and south America.
Northern Ireland is exempt from the export ban imposed in the rest of the UK after the Surrey outbreak.
But there has been confusion and some importers are wary.
"Whilst there may have been some initial confusion in many different parts of the world over the use of the words 'United Kingdom' and 'Great Britain', I think we are now making it clear to people that the island of Ireland is totally and absolutely free of foot-and-mouth," Mr McGuinness said."Whilst there may have been some initial confusion in many different parts of the world over the use of the words 'United Kingdom' and 'Great Britain', I think we are now making it clear to people that the island of Ireland is totally and absolutely free of foot-and-mouth," Mr McGuinness said.
MEP Jim Allister has said any attempt by Germany to refuse NI exports of dairy and pork products, would be an unacceptable breach of EU rules.MEP Jim Allister has said any attempt by Germany to refuse NI exports of dairy and pork products, would be an unacceptable breach of EU rules.
CancelledCancelled
He contacted the office of the internal market commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, after shipments of sausage meat to Germany had been cancelled.He contacted the office of the internal market commissioner, Charlie McCreevy, after shipments of sausage meat to Germany had been cancelled.
Meanwhile, First Minister Ian Paisley has spoken to the Foreign Office about the difficulties encountered by some NI firms shipping meat and dairy products abroad.Meanwhile, First Minister Ian Paisley has spoken to the Foreign Office about the difficulties encountered by some NI firms shipping meat and dairy products abroad.
Disinfectant mats are being used as a precaution againt the diseaseDisinfectant mats are being used as a precaution againt the disease
A shipment of pork from County Tyrone was stopped from entering Japan and a local dairy company claimed Germany had refused its produce.A shipment of pork from County Tyrone was stopped from entering Japan and a local dairy company claimed Germany had refused its produce.
Mr Paisley said he would stress that NI had not been affected by the outbreak.Mr Paisley said he would stress that NI had not been affected by the outbreak.
Dale Farm said orders were at risk after what it claimed was Germany's decision to ban all UK milk products.Dale Farm said orders were at risk after what it claimed was Germany's decision to ban all UK milk products.
Difficulties were also being encountered in shipping dairy products to South American markets.Difficulties were also being encountered in shipping dairy products to South American markets.
The pork stopped in Japan was sent from Grampian Foods in Cookstown.The pork stopped in Japan was sent from Grampian Foods in Cookstown.
Hugh McReynolds, the firm's managing director, said it was not good news for Northern Ireland's pig farmers.Hugh McReynolds, the firm's managing director, said it was not good news for Northern Ireland's pig farmers.
Grampian said it was also experiencing difficulties in shipping its products to the US and Germany.Grampian said it was also experiencing difficulties in shipping its products to the US and Germany.
On Monday, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew's confirmed that Northern Ireland was to be allowed to continue to export meat and dairy products.On Monday, Agriculture Minister Michelle Gildernew's confirmed that Northern Ireland was to be allowed to continue to export meat and dairy products.
Supermarket linesSupermarket lines
BBC NI rural affairs correspondent Martin Cassidy said: "With exports worth £1m a day - it is the local dairy industry which is most vulnerable to nervousness in world markets.BBC NI rural affairs correspondent Martin Cassidy said: "With exports worth £1m a day - it is the local dairy industry which is most vulnerable to nervousness in world markets.
"With a boat carrying milk powder due to land in South America this week, farmers and milk processors are particularly keen the Department of Agriculture's chief vet can make progress in Brussels in clarifying Northern Ireland's foot-and-mouth free status for other countries."With a boat carrying milk powder due to land in South America this week, farmers and milk processors are particularly keen the Department of Agriculture's chief vet can make progress in Brussels in clarifying Northern Ireland's foot-and-mouth free status for other countries.
"The German reaction will be particularly important not only for the dairy sector but for local pork exporters too."The German reaction will be particularly important not only for the dairy sector but for local pork exporters too.
"Diplomatic efforts are also being made with Japan. Tokyo buys more than £1m of Northern Ireland pork annually, while a £3m order for pork ribs with the United States is also at stake.""Diplomatic efforts are also being made with Japan. Tokyo buys more than £1m of Northern Ireland pork annually, while a £3m order for pork ribs with the United States is also at stake."
Hundreds of supermarket lines have had to be dropped in NI, particularly fresh meat ranges.Hundreds of supermarket lines have had to be dropped in NI, particularly fresh meat ranges.
Even some cream cakes and Marks and Spencer sandwiches are absent from its Northern Ireland's shelves.Even some cream cakes and Marks and Spencer sandwiches are absent from its Northern Ireland's shelves.
M&S said it hopes to have a limited range of sandwiches made in-store available from Thursday.M&S said it hopes to have a limited range of sandwiches made in-store available from Thursday.