Europe fears new outbreak of Asian foot-and-mouth strain

EUROPE is at risk from a repeat of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak which left a €12bn bill after it flared up in the UK in 2001.

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.