Europe fears new outbreak of Asian foot-and-mouth strain
An emerging strain of Asia 1 FMD, present in Central Asia and China, is of particular concern, and the EU's established control programmes need to be adapted, according to the European Food Safety Authority.
EFSA has called for better controls on import of animals, meat and meat products, in order to prevent the disease from entering the EU again.
The risk sources are primarily South East Asia and China, South Asia, and to a lesser extent Eastern Africa and the Sahel region of Africa.
"It is impossible to stop every single illegal import at the EU's borders," EFSA stated.
"With the constant growth of animal movements and imports of meat and meat products into the EU, illegal imports are also increasing and are difficult to control.
"The incentives for profit and demand for ethnic and cultural foods, not so easily available in the EU, are continually adding pressure to EU control mechanisms through illegal imports."
Growth in international travel from areas where FMD is endemic is adding to illegal imports of meat and meat products in passengers' luggage crossing EU borders.
The Authority recommends control of FMD "at source", through regional control programmes, a global surveillance system; and promotion of safe trading of livestock commodities.
According to the Authority, the main risk of FMD entering the EU is through import of infected animals or meat and meat products containing the virus.
