Europe braced for foot-and-mouth

LILLE, France -- Livestock movements have been banned in northern France following a suspected case of foot-and-mouth disease at a pig farm in Belgium.

If confirmed, it would be the first case of the virus -- which affects animals with cloven hooves such as pigs, sheep and cows but not humans -- in continental Europe after an outbreak in Britain that has plunged its farming industry into crisis.

Belgian officials said that although initial laboratory tests at the farm in Diksmuide, western Flanders, were negative, definitive results would not available for three days.

But Remy Pautray, the French government representative in Lille, said police at border crossings had stepped up checks to ensure no livestock could enter.

"With this happening a few kilometres (from here), we could not wait until next week. That is clear," Pautray said.

Livestock markets and agricultural fairs were already due to be suspended in France on Tuesday, and it has banned the import of livestock from Ireland following a confirmed case north of the Irish border.

AUDIO Foot-and-mouth alarm in Belgium 932/87. AIFF or WAV sound

Belgium imposed a nationwide ban on the transport of live farm animals early on Saturday when the suspicions first arose.

At the suspect farm, 323 pigs are being slaughtered and a 20-kilometre (12-mile) exclusion zone has been set up, stopping all visitors except vets. Foot-and-mouth disease is not fatal to most animals, but it destroys their economic value.

By Saturday morning 43 cases of foot-and-mouth disease had been confirmed on British farms. The outbreak which has spread across all parts of England to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in under two weeks.

The European Union banned all British exports of animals, fresh meat and milk on February 21 while thousands of animals exported before then have since been destroyed in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

Fears of its spread are particularly high in the Republic of Ireland with one of the affected farms in Northern Ireland just three kilometres (two miles) from the border.

At least four farms and two meat processing plants in the republic have been placed in exclusion zones, hauliers need special permits to move animals, and this month's St Patrick's Day parade in Dublin, has also been called off.

More than 1,000 police and soldiers are mounting round-the-clock checkpoints at border points but there are fears livestock smugglers may thwart the effort.

Authorities however stress that all the moves are precautionary and there is no firm evidence the disease has reached Ireland.

Sweeping measures in Britain include the culling of 45,000 animals and fines of up to £5,000 ($7,200) to ensure people observe the no-go status imposed on large tracts of rural Britain.

Four farmers accused of breaking a nationwide ban on transporting livestock are to face court action.

But, amid fears of meat shortages, the first easing of the strict measures has been announced, with farmers and abattoir owners in disease-free areas able to apply for special licences to transport live animals.

Agriculture Minister Nick Brown on Saturday said it would be tightly controlled with animals slaughtered within 24 hours of arriving at abattoirs.

"This is not a return to normal business. The volume will be less than usual and strict conditions will have to be met.

"Nonetheless, I hope this move will mark the beginning of an orderly return to business for Britain's livestock farmers and meat industry."

Farming bosses, who on Thursday predicted the crisis would cost the farming and food industries £775 million if it was not brought under control within three months, welcomed the plans.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Seven new UK foot-and-mouth cases
March 2, 2001
UK outbreak raises questions
March 2, 2001
Europe steps up disease controls
March 2, 2001
Disease-free livestock to move again
March 2, 2001
Foot-and-mouth crisis spreads
February 28, 2001

UK Ministry of Agriculture: Foot-and-mouth
Belgian Ministry of Agriculture
Irish Ministry of Agriculture
The European Commission for the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease
European Union: Agriculture policies

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