Russia bans import of Belgian, German, Dutch sheep and goats

Jan 20, 2012, 18:40 GMT

Moscow/Brussels - Russia has banned the import of sheep and goats from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands over an outbreak of a new disease dubbed the Schmallenberg virus, with one official on Friday warning that the embargo could be expanded to other countries.

Cattle could also eventually be targeted, the deputy of Russia's veterinary authority, Nikolai Vlasov, said in a statement.

'The ban will remain in place until our European colleagues have the situation back under control, with vaccinations or other measures,' he said.

But a spokesman for the European Commission warned Moscow against extending the import ban to more European Union member states.

'Given that the outbreak is limited to three countries, this would really be disproportionate,' said Frederic Vincent, a spokesman for EU Health Commissioner John Dalli. 'The impact so far is limited, not pan-European.'

In Berlin, where he was attending the annual Green Week agricultural trade fair, Dalli was to discuss the ban with Russian officials.

It is not the first time that an import ban would pit Russia against the EU.

A diplomatic row between the two sides broke out last summer over Moscow's ban on EU-produced vegetables because of a deadly E coli outbreak in Germany. It was eventually linked to Egyptian seeds.

Vincent was quick to note that there are no indications so far that the Schmallenberg virus 'is ... dangerous for humans.'

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control found in December that 'it is unlikely that this virus can cause disease in humans, but it cannot be completely excluded at this stage.'

It does lead to 'congenital malformations,' mainly in sheep and less often in cattle and goats, a committee of experts from the EU and national governments said earlier this month. It also causes 'mild clinical signs' in cattle.

The virus has affected ruminants on about 100 farms, Vincent said.

Experts believe that it is unlikely to spread further during the winter, given the fact that it is transmitted by mosquitoes and midges.

German scientists in November identified the disease as an orthobunyavirus - organisms mostly found in Africa, Oceania and Australia. They couldn't say whether the disease had arrived via transport channels or had simply lain dormant in Germany until now.

The issue will be discussed on Monday at a regular meeting of the EU agriculture ministers, Vincent said.

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