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The disease, first confirmed Aug. 3, struck two cattle farms 30 miles southwest of London and sparked worries of a repeat of a major 2001 outbreak, when 7 million animals were slaughtered and British meat was shut out of world markets for months.
The highly infectious disease affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cows, sheep, pigs and goats. Around 600 animals have been slaughtered as a result of the latest outbreak.
The European Commission said veterinary experts from the 27 EU member states expressed support for the control measures taken by British authorities to contain the disease. They said the "strict and immediate" provisions helped curb the outbreak.
"In accordance with the new decision ... trade in live animals and their products from most of the U.K. will be possible, subject to strict controls and veterinary supervision, from Aug. 25," a commission statement said.
All of Britain had been classified as a "high-risk" zone for livestock and product exports at the request of British authorities. Farmers have said the trade ban was costing them close to $4 million a day in lost income. Exports from Northern Ireland had not been affected.
The veterinary committee is slated to meet again next month to review the situation.
[Associated Press; by Jan Sliva]
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