February 13, 2006

Venezuelan ranchers want to halt imports of Argentinean beef
 

Ranchers in Venezuelan ranchers are asking their Government to stop imports of Argentinean beef to protect the local herd against foot and mouth disease.

National Federation of Ranchers President Genaro Mendez advised the authorities that in order to prevent any outbreaks of the disease in the domestic market, imports should be stopped.

Venezuelan ranchers are worried that an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in a farm of more than 3,000 animals in Argentina may spread to Venezuela.

While other countries in the Americas and Europe have restricted Argentinean products, Venezuela has not taken any action, Mendez said. Venezuela should not see a repeat of last year's incident where it took two weeks before the government decided to ban meat from Brazil when foot-and-mouth disease was reported there, he added.