August 15, 2007

Jamaica bans British meat over FMD

Jamaica has imposed a ban on meat and dairy products from the United Kingdom following the country's outbreak of foot-and-mouth-disease last week.

Acting Director of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Osbil Watson, says although Jamaica has banned imported beef since 1995, other hooved animals such as pigs are still vulnerable to the disease.

He says the Veterinary Division is closely monitoring the UK situation.

In recent days other countries in the region including St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada and Suriname have banned meat and dairy products.

The Dominican Republic also announced Monday (August 13) that it also implemented restrictions on British meat.

Last week, the UK government banned the movement of animals within its territory until further notice.