After first having said it would end the embargo on selected Egyptian seeds and beans last month, the European Union has in fact extended its ban. The ban was imposed after the deadly E.coli outbreaks in Europe earlier this year were linked back to fenugreek seed supplied from Egypt. image expired

In October, the EU removed some conditions of the ban, allowing some seeds to enter the bloc; the ban was set to expire altogether on 31st October, however, the European Commission has elected to extend its embargo until 31st March 2012. The Commission said this was due to the "inefficiency of the procedures taken by Egyptian authorities to ensure the integrity of grain and plant exports."

The decision was made following an audit by the Food and Veterinary Office in August. In the wake of the outbreaks and subsequent ban, the Commission is awaiting a report on the risk posed by shiga-toxin producing E.coli and other bacteria in seeds and sprouts by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The EU ban now covers 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. Following the lifting of some conditions last month, imports of fresh and chilled peas and beans are once more allowed into the block, following the ban introduced by the EC in July.

Retailers have criticised the move as overly harsh; they say their industry is losing out as a result of the Commission's restrictions.