Brazil foot-and-mouth outbreak could help NZ

It is too early to say how a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Brazil will affect New Zealand beef exports, industry officials say.

The European Union, South Africa and Israel have curbed imports of Brazilian beef after confirmation of an outbreak of the disease in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul.

In the past two years, New Zealand beef exporters have made big gains in Asian markets because of a ban on US beef after an outbreak of the disease BSE.

New Zealand beef competes with Brazilian product in some Asian markets but most of Brazil's trade is with Russia and Europe - markets where New Zealand does not have a strong presence.

Any potential gain for New Zealand exporters would depend on how widespread the outbreak was and how long Brazilian product was banned, said one local official.

New Zealand exporters are cautious not to be seen to be taking advantage of another country's misfortune.

Foot-and-mouth disease does not harm humans, but causes fever in cattle, causing them to lose weight and become less fertile.