MEAT SHIPMENTS WHICH ARRIVED AFTER ADOPTION OF IMPORT BAN WILL BE TESTED, STORED

ZAGREB, March 6 (Hina) - The meat shipments which arrived at the Croatian border after the adoption of a decision temporarily banning meat imports with the aim of preventing the spreading foot- and-mouth disease will be tested and stored until the ban is lifted, the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday. The decision imposing a temporary ban on the import of hoofed animals' meat was adopted on March 2 and was forwarded to all border crossings immediately. Following the adoption of the import ban, three refrigerator lorries arrived at the border carrying meat for Croatian factories. Since Slovenia in the meantime also imposed a ban on the import and transport of hoofed animals' meat through its territory, it was not possible to send the lorries back and the Ministry decided that they be allowed to take the meat to their destinations but the meat had to be tested and stored until the ban is over. The ban on the import and transport of the meat of hoofed animals - cows, sheep, goats and wild hoofed animals - lasts 15 days, which is the longest period of incubation for foot-and-mouth disease, a dangerous and easily transmitted disease. (hina) rml