August 29, 2006

Belgium widens ban on movement of livestock as bluetounge spreads

Belgian authorities have extended restrictions on sheep and cattle transports after more cases of bluetongue disease surfaced Saturday ( Aug 26).

Nine more farms in Belgium reported the disease, bringing the total number of affected farms to 46, the Federal Food Safety Agency said in a statement.

Since the disease first emerged on Aug 18, livestock from Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and parts of western Germany have been banned from export.

Livestock transports are now banned in much of eastern Belgium.

However, Belgium's food safety agency plans to ask European Union officials to allow transportation of animals to slaughterhouses under certain conditions.

Bluetongue is more common in southern Europe, but the disease appears to have migrated to northern Europe.