COLOMBIA:Chile Suspends Beef Imports Due To Foot-and-mouth Disease Outbreak

Chile's Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG) said in a statement that it would temporarily suspend imports of Colombian meat products after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the department (state) of Arauca.

"The SAG has already contacted the Colombian authorities to monitor the case, and better assess the situation," said the Chilean agency. SAG also noted that just a month ago it had authorized meat imports from Colombia after a thorough evaluation process.

Last Saturday, Colombia's Agricultural and Livestock Institute (ICA) reported the detection of a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the first since 2009. Since the news came, Chile, Peru, and Panama have suspended their meat imports, and Ecuador reported that it would strengthen sanitary controls.

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