Thursday March 15, 2001
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 15, 2001
Canada bans animal product imports from EU
The federal government has expanded its ban on imports of meat products from the European Union in a bid to protect Canada from an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease threatening to devastate Europe’s livestock industry.The Canadian Food Inspection Agency announced yesterday that it will not allow imports of pigs, uncooked pork products, some unpasteurized cheeses and dairy products, and semen and embryos from certain animals.
Canada already bans imports of beef and lamb from Europe due to concerns about mad-cow disease.
Agriculture Minister Lyle Vanclief said, “It’s the very same as we’ve been treating the United Kingdom for a couple of weeks.”
The government will also block imports of used farm equipment, which could carry the foot-and-mouth virus.
Britain has been devastated by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth, which attacks cattle, sheep, hogs and other animals with cloven hoofs.
The virus, which causes blisters on the tongue, gums, nostrils and upper part of the foot, is usually not fatal to animals but it can cause great weight loss since animals can’t eat. There is no risk to humans. (Source)