US Bans Farm Equipment Imports From EUThe United States has banned all imports of used farm equipment from the European Union (EU) and countries where animals are suspected of having the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease.Foot-and-mouth disease causes blisters on the hooves and mouths of sheep, pigs, cattle and goats, followed by severe weight loss. The virus rarely affects humans but can be easily spread on clothing or shoes. According to a news report by Reuters March 30, the United States temporarily banned imports of livestock and fresh meat -- mainly pork ribs -- from the entire EU on March 13. The temporary prohibition was due to expire on Wednesday, but the discovery of more food-and-mouth cases in the EU have prompted the US to leave the ban open-ended. |
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