Foot-and-mouth disease could cost US $1 billion

Following a second outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, the crisis which started in KwaZulu-Natal Province three months ago could cost South Africa and its neighbours US $1 billion, DPA reported on Sunday. The crisis intensified last week when South Africa closed all its borders to beef exports and imports following an outbreak in neighbouring Mpumalanga Province. The latest outbreak was near the town of Middelburg, more than 200 km east of Johannesburg. Mpumalanga Province accounts for 13 percent of South Africa’s beef production, generating annual earnings of more than US $50 million. Quoting Boet Venter, chief executive officer of the South African Meat Company, the report said indirect costs to industries dependent on beef would push the total loss to the economy up to more than US $1 billion over a two-year period. More than 20 countries have already moved to impose partial or total bans on South African meat products.