The EU extends Egyptian seed ban

Seeds and sprouts produced in Egypt are banned from import into the European Union until 31 March 2012.

The import ban was made following the discovery of a high number of fenugreek seeds carrying the strain O104: H4 of the bacterium E. coli. The link was established between the seeds from Egypt and the epidemic that killed 49 in Germany and poisoned a dozen people in France.

Enacted in July 2011 for three months, the ban has been extended until March 31, 2012. Measures taken to Egypt to ensure the safety of seeds and sprouts are deemed insufficient by the European Union.

source : afp