BISMARCK - North Dakota's agriculture commissioner and state veterinarian
have urged U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman to maintain a ban on
European Union meat products until after foot and mouth disease (FMD) is
eradicated in EU countries.

"In our opinion, an import ban should remain in place for an extended period
of time after a disease has been eradicated," said Commissioner Roger
Johnson and Dr. Larry Schuler. "When dealing with foot and mouth disease, it
is far better to err on the side of safety."

Johnson and Schuler told Veneman that while they were pleased by her
decision to ban EU meat products, they were deeply concerned by a report
that the U.S. Department of Agriculture has assured the EU that the import
ban would be "reviewed urgently." The EU food and consumer safety
commissioner has threatened retaliation if the trade restrictions are not
removed.

"In this case, a rapid reversal of the import ban would be very dangerous to
both domestic animals and free-ranging wildlife in this country," said
Johnson and Schuler, noting that the EU commissioner himself has instituted
a ban on Argentine meat imports because of the threat of FMD.

"We are asking that a thorough and complete risk assessment be completed
before an import ban is removed," the North Dakota officials said. "We would
very much hate to be involved in destroying and burning livestock in this
country because of foot and mouth disease."

Johnson and Schuler told Veneman that North Dakota is already taking several
actions to deal with the situation, including:

* Increasing public awareness of the risk associated with foreign
travel.
*
* Increasing producer awareness of the need for biosecurity on farms
and ranches.

* Consultation between the North Dakota Department of Agriculture and
the Division of Emergency Management concerning the state's response if an
FMD outbreak occurs in the state or elsewhere in the U.S.

MEDIA: For more information, please call Dr. Larry Schuler at (701)
328-2653.