After a similar move by Argentina on Tuesday, Paraguay has ordered an immediate halt to beef exports after detecting foot-and-mouth disease in cattle from a farm northeast of Asuncion.
The outbreak sent tremors through a region famous for its beef production, with neighbouring Argentina and Uruguay closing borders to Paraguayan livestock to prevent the spread of the highly contagious disease, and Brazil also stepping up border controls. The discovery occurred during a test of 13 cows at a farm in San Pedro department about 400km north of Asuncion, according to national animal health inspectorate Senacsa.
"Meat exports are suspended for 80 days," said Senacsa spokesman Manuel Cardozo, citing codes set by the International Organisation for Animal Health.
The outbreak also raised concerns among cattle-raising neighbours - Brazil, the world's second largest supplier of beef, and Argentina, the sixth largest supplier.
- AFP
