Dutch impose national ban on animal transports

The Dutch government has imposed an immediate ban on national transports of livestock in response to the first case of foot and mouth in continental Europe.

After closing livestock markets last week, the Agriculture Ministry has expanded restrictions to fend off possible infections after a case was discovered on a farm in northern France.

The prohibition covers inter-farm shipments and transports of cattle, pigs and goats to slaughterhouses.

A ministry spokeswoman said any potentially infected animals would be destroyed. More than 3,000 animals imported from Britain have already been killed as a precaution.

"The ban will remain until the national inspection service for livestock and meat has determined how many animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth have recently been imported from France," a statement from the ministry said.

French imports of potential carriers were halted on March 8 and all tests on animals in the Netherlands have been negative. A ban on transports of sheep was already effective.