Canada bans British livestock after foot and mouth outbreak

OTTAWA (AFP) - Canada announced it had banned imports of British livestock and animal products following the discovery of a case of foot and mouth disease on a farm in southern England.

"No susceptible animals or animal products from the United Kingdom are being permitted entry into Canada," Minister of Agriculture Chuck Strahl said in a statement.

Strahl said the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was reviewing records to determine whether Canada had imported any at-risk animals or products during the last three months.

"Information gathered to date indicates that bovine semen is the only commodity of potential concern that recently entered Canada," he said, adding that the semen did not come from the area in Britain where foot and mouth disease was discovered.

"The CFIA is proceeding with vigilance to rule out any possible routes of exposure," he said.