The Netherlands lifted on Friday a ban on exports of ruminants from the north of the country following an outbreak of the bluetongue animal virus.

"Research carried out until now doesn't show the virus spreading to the north of The Netherlands," the agriculture ministry said in a statement.

"Cows, sheep and goats that will be directly slaughtered can be exported again. Those that aren't to be slaughtered must not show symptoms of bluetongue disease and must undergo serum tests before being exported."

The agriculture ministry had called for a total export freeze for all ruminants, as well as their semen, embryos and ova, eight days ago, after the discovery of the first cases in Kerkrade, in the southeast of the country.

Belgium and Germany have since reported cases in neighboring regions.

Some 27 cattle farms are affected in The Netherlands and there are suspected cases on another dozen farms.

Under measures recommended by the European Union, the movement of ruminants in a 150-kilometer radius of the outbreak zone is still banned.

The partial lifting of the export ban "reduces the economic consequences in the sector to a minimum," the ministry said.

Bluetongue is a non-contagious, insect-transmitted, viral disease which affects domestic and wild ruminants. It does not affect humans and there is no risk of the disease being contracted or spread through meat or milk.

In Europe it is usually only found in parts of the southern Mediterranean countries. The outbreak in the Netherlands is the first time this disease was identified in northern Europe.

Source: Xinhua