EU extends ban on selected Egyptian seeds

The EU has extended the ban on selected Egyptian seeds and beans, which was imposed in July following deadly E coli outbreaks in Europe.

The ban was set to expire on 31 October 2011; however, the European Commission revealed that the ban will be extended until 31 March 2012 due to the inefficiency of the procedures taken by Egyptian authorities to ensure the integrity of grain and plant exports.

The ban will remain on items including rocket sprouts, sprouts of leguminous vegetables (fresh or chilled), soya bean sprouts, dried (shelled) leguminous vegetables, fenugreek seeds, soya beans and mustard seeds.

Imports of fresh and chilled peas and beans will be allowed as EU lifted the ban on these items earlier this month.

In July, the EU imposed an emergency ban on fenugreek and certain seeds, sprouted seeds and beans imported from Egypt, following the two outbreaks of E coli O104 in Germany and France.