January 31, 2007

Argentina shuts border to Bolivian meat due to FMD

Argentina has suspended the import of all meat products from Bolivia in response to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Senasa, the agricultural health and quality service, announced Tuesday (Jan 30).

Argentina will "suspend the entrance of all goods for import or transit to third countries that might carry foot- and-mouth virus, originating in Bolivia," Senasa said in a release.

The measures will include increased border checks of commercial shipments, passengers and baggage, in addition to disinfection of vehicles crossing the border, Senasa said.

FMD has broken out at three sites in the Bolivian province of Santa Cruz, according to the release.

On Monday, Paraguay also banned the import of Bolivian beef due to the outbreak.

"The entrance of all animals potentially susceptible to the disease and products which carry a risk is totally prohibited, and disinfection is mandated for all vehicles crossing the border from our neighbouring country," said the director of Paraguay's animal health and control service, Senacsa, according to local press reports.

FMD is an infectious virus affecting cattle, pigs and other animals with cloven hoofs. Although rarely fatal, it generally causes serious weight losses in affected livestock, greatly increasing production costs.