Advice To Shipping: EU Foot And Mouth Restrictions

Maritime And Coastguard Agency (UK)

MCA promulgate DEFRA's advice to shipping regarding the EU Foot and Mouth restrictions

As part of the UK Government's response to the European restrictions on the export of meat and dairy products put in place following the presence of foot and mouth disease in Surrey, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has asked the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to inform the shipping industry and recreational users of the sea of these restrictions.

Therefore, in order to help implement the European Commission's decision concerning interim protection measures with regard to foot and mouth disease in the United Kingdom, and to inform vessels using the ports, harbours and marinas in Great Britain of these restrictions, HM Coastguard will be adding the following information to their regular Maritime Safety Information Broadcasts.

"Following the presence of foot and mouth disease in one single area in the UK, and the EU restrictions on the export of meat and dairy products from the UK, the UK Government has advised that meat and meat products, milk and dairy products sourced within Great Britain for consumption onboard any vessel including recreational craft should not be landed abroad, nor any waste stemming from the consumption of these products.

Those vessels unable to return the waste to the UK for safe disposal should consult the receiving port to ensure that local biosecurity measures are observed."

These restrictions will continue to apply until such time as they are lifted by the European Commission. They do not apply to vessels leaving Northern Ireland.

This information will be broadcast twice a day as part of the Maritime Safety Information Broadcasts from each HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC) at 0700 and 1900 on voice, digital and satellite communications.

Brian Elliott, from the Environmental Quality Branch of the MCA stated: "These broadcasts are being made as a precautionary measure to help the UK Government comply with the European Commission's decision concerning interim protection measures with regard to foot and mouth disease in the UK. The MCA are happy to promulgate this information on DEFRA's behalf to the shipping industry and recreational users of the marine environment."

ENDS

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