August 9, 2007

Mexico joins others, bans British beef and livestock imports

Mexico has joined the US, European Union and China in halting imports of British beef and livestock products in response to a recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in southern England, the Agriculture Department announced.

In a statement released late Tuesday (August 7), the department said it had implemented strict security measures at its main seaports and airports. The UK has voluntarily suspended exports of livestock, meat and milk products in response to the outbreak.

The UK government said Wednesday there was a low risk of the disease spreading outside the immediate outbreak area and eased a nationwide ban on moving livestock.