USDA INCREASES INSPECTORS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE

USDA INCREASES INSPECTORS TO PREVENT SPREAD OF FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE    The U.S. Department of Agriculture is increasing its inspector staff at the ports to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease into the United States.
   This USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is already in the process of hiring 400 new inspectors and doubling the size of its canine inspection teams. USDA Secretary Ann M. Veneman has authorized an additional $32 million to hire 350 more inspectors and reassigned 200 inspectors to critical ports of entry.
   “We are making every effort to reduce the risks so that FMD will not enter our country,” Veneman said. “However, we must always be on guard. It is responsible to plan and prepare in case their were an emergency.”
   FMD has spread to four continents. The United States has been free from the disease since 1929.
   On April 25, Uruguay confirmed two cases of the disease in cattle west of the city of Palmitas. Based on this information, the USDA is prohibiting importation of susceptible animals and their products (mostly cattle, hogs and sheep) from Uruguay produced on or after March 23.
   Products already en route to the United States will be held at the port of entry where they will either be re-exported or incinerated.