DATE=4-4-01

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-274546

TITLE=U-S - HOOF AND MOUTH (L ONLY)

BYLINE=DEBORAH TATE

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United States is taking precautions to keep hoof-and-mouth disease from coming to its shores. The disease broke out in Britain in February and has spread to a number of other European countries. Correspondent Deborah Tate reports on the U-S response.

TEXT: President Bush - concerned about the epidemic of hoof-and-mouth disease in Britain - met with Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman Wednesday to discuss efforts to keep the disease from coming to the United States.

Ms. Veneman spoke to reporters after the meeting:

/// VENEMAN ACTUALITY ///

We are taking every effort that we possibly can to make sure we do not experience what the United Kingdom has unfortunately been experiencing over the past several weeks. We have been free of foot and mouth disease in this country since 1929, and our goal is to keep it that way.

/// END ACT ///

Ms. Veneman noted the United States last month temporarily suspended imports of livestock and fresh meats - mostly pork - from the entire European Union.

The action was taken after the disease was detected in a region of France. Ms. Veneman said France's outbreak of the disease now appears under control.

But the disease has spread to Ireland, Germany and the Netherlands.

And Ms. Veneman said there are still new cases being discovered in Britain, where more than one million animals have had to be killed since the disease first surfaced in February.

U-S officials say an outbreak in the United States could cost American farmers billions of dollars in losses - a point underscored by Ms. Veneman.

/// VENEMAN ACTUALITY ///

It is a threat to our livestock industry. It is a threat to our economy if our livestock industry were to be hit with this disease.

/// END ACT ///

The disease - which does not affect humans - cripples cattle, sheep, pigs and goats for months, and sharply reduces meat and milk production. The virus is spread by shoes, farm equipment and the wind.

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