CBP Miami issues updates on U.K. foot-and-mouth outbreak

CBP Miami issues updates on U.K. foot-and-mouth outbreak Richard Vigna, acting director of Customs and Border Protection's Miami Service Port, has issued a bulletin explaining the local impacts of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the United Kingdom.
   Vigna noted Friday that since Aug. 3 all commercial shipments of live pigs and pork byproducts from the United Kingdom are being refused entry, and must be destroyed or exported.
   In addition, passengers coming into Florida on private, charter or commercial aircraft will be questioned if they have visited a farm or ranch in the United Kingdom during the last 30 days. Their baggage will be checked and any pork products from the United Kingdom will be confiscated. CBP agriculture specialists will disinfect all footwear and equipment worn or used on a farm, ranch or pasture in the United Kingdom.
   Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cattle, swine, goats, sheep and other cloven-hoofed animals. The disease does not affect humans, but it could contaminate clothing and spread to animals in the United States. Importation of cattle, sheep and goats from the United Kingdom were already prohibited due to new 'mad cow disease' outbreaks there.
   For additional information from the Miami Service Port area, contact CBP's Robert Stykes at (305) 869-2740.