DATE=03/13/01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=US LIVESTOCK BAN

NUMBER=2-273667

BYLINE=JESSICA BERMAN

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

INTRO: The United States has banned imports of all animals and animal products from the European Union in response to an epidemic of hoof and mouth disease. VOA's Jessica Berman reports.

TEXT: Tuesday's action by the U.S. Department of Agriculture widens a ban imposed by the agency on February 21st against British beef. The decision to extend the U.S. ban to the entire European continent comes after France reported its first case of Hoof and mouth disease.

In recent weeks, thousands of cows, sheep and pigs have been slaughtered across England to try to bring the epidemic under control.

While stressing that very little meat is imported to the United States from Europe, an Agriculture Department spokesman said that all EU meat products shipped to this country since February 21 would be quarantined for inspection.

// OPT // Hoof and mouth disease does not harm humans but it can be fatal to pigs, cattle and sheep. // END OPT // (SIGNED)

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