EU lifts UK meat export ban

Millions of animals were destroyed in efforts to contain the disease

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The EU has lifted the remaining restrictions on British pig and meat exports imposed during the foot-and-mouth crisis, officials have said.

The move follows the UK government's announcement earlier this week that the last English county to have been affected by the virus, Northumberland, was foot-and-mouth free.

The European Union had placed the restrictions on the UK after foot-and-mouth broke out 12 months ago.

The EU's veterinary committee agreed on Wednesday to lift restrictions meaning all farms in Britain can now export live pigs and fresh pork, beef and sheep meat.

RESOURCES In-Depth: Foot-and-mouth - Fear and Slaughter

But a ban on exports of live sheep and goats remains in place.

The virus, which affects cloven-hoofed animals, has devastated the UK's farming and tourist industries since the outbreak was first identified last February.

Millions of carcasses were destroyed costing the industry billions of pounds. More than 2,000 UK farms had been affected during the outbreak.

Restrictions remain on some individual farms across Britain for disinfection purposes.

Most cleansing and disinfection has been completed or will be done by the end of February.