August 7, 2007

Romania struck by swine fever outbreak

Romanian veterinary authorities have slaughtered of 20,000 pigs after following an outbreak of swine fever at a farm in the west of the country.

All farms in Timis county belonging to Smithfield Foods - one the largest US meat processors - will be inspected for signs of infection, officials say. Checkpoints have been set up in main roads to prevent the movement of meat.

Swine fever is a recurrent problem in Romania, which has been banned from exporting pork to other EU countries. The virus has already been found in the Cenei farm, where the slaughter of pigs has already been ordered.