Paraguay detects foot-and-mouth, halts beef exports

ASUNCION: Paraguay ordered an immediate halt to beef exports Monday after detecting foot-and-mouth disease in cattle from a farm northeast of Asuncion, in a move that could devastate the country's cattle industry.

The discovery occurred during a test of 13 cows at a farm in San Pedro department some 400 kilometers (250 miles) from the capital 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 Organization for Animal Health (OIE).

At a news conference Monday, Paraguayan Meats Industry Chamber president Mari Llorens described the infectious outbreak as "a blow to the national economy."

Beef is the country's number two export, with $650 million worth of exports last year.

Paraguay immediately communicated data about the foot-and-mouth detection to OIE, Senacsa said in a statement.

"Senacsa is taking all appropriate measures in this case," the inspectorate said.

Paraguay last detected foot-and-mouth disease in 2002, when the South American nation also suspended beef exports.

Copyright AFP (Agence France-Presse), 2011