March 14, 2006

Philippines bans livestock imports from Argentina

The Philippine Department of Agriculture issued a ban on imports of livestock and animal by-products from Argentina on March 13, due to an outbreak foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

The ban is effective immediately, according to a statement made by the agriculture department.

The ban will last until no more new cases of FMD are reported in Argentina, the department said.

The government's import ban is unlikely to significantly affect trade with Argentina because the Philippines has not imported a substantial amount of livestock from the South American country in recent years.

Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban has also ordered that all shipments of FMD-suspected animals and their by-products from Argentina be halted and confiscated, according to the agriculture department's statement.

Panganiban has also ordered the immediate suspension of the issuance of veterinary quarantine clearance needed for importing livestock.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats and pigs. The virus affects the hoof and mouth of infected animals, as well as their saliva, urine, milk and other secretions. The virus is rarely contracted by human beings.