The State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service admits possibility of introducing a ban on imports of vegetables from the European Union to Ukraine depending on the results of researches on presence of pathogenic strains of collibacillus.

Ukrainian News learned this from the press service of the Veterinary Watchdog.

The watchdog has obliged heads of its regional branches to provide examination of batches of vegetables originating in the European Union. If pathogenic strains of collibacillus are found, the watchdog will introduce a ban on imports of vegetables to Ukraine.

The measures account for the outbreak of the cases of enteric infection in Germany.

As of the morning of June 2, 16 deaths were registered in the European Union and close to 2,000 people were hospitalized.

It was believed at first that the outbreak was linked with cucumbers imported to Germany from Spain, as EHEC bacteria was found on some cucumbers.

However, it was established later that EHEC bacteria had nothing to do with the outbreak.

Investigation continues. Vegetables harvested in Germany are also under suspicion now.

According to the State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service of Ukraine, 49 tons of cucumbers has been imported to Ukraine from Spain since January 2011. Other vegetables were imported to Ukraine from Spain too.

Andrii Yarmak, head of the APK-Inform analytical agency, told Ukrainian News that cucumbers originating in Spain are not on the Ukrainian market at present.

He said it would be economically senseless to import cucumbers from Spain late in May, as the prices of Ukrainian cucumbers were low as they were.

At the same time, he said the Ukrainian authorities should impose a ban on imports of cucumbers in order to omit even theoretic danger for the population.

As Ukrainian News earlier reported, the State Veterinary and Phytosanitary Service in mid-May imposed a ban on importation of animals susceptible to peste des petits ruminants and products made of them, originating in Tunisia.

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