MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

South America Breaking News.

Argentina confirms 25 FAM cases.

Argentine veterinary officials confirmed this week the existence of 25 cases of foot and mouth disease, FAM, 18 of which in the rich province of Buenos Aires, and another 28 "suspect cases" in other areas of the country. Officials also admitted that the original plan to revaccinate 11 million head of cattle could be extended to the whole livestock population, over 50 million head, even if this could mean delaying the recovery of the international free of foot and mouth disease status, which had been granted to Argentina last May. A ban on all cattle movements was imposed in the province of Buenos Aires and sanitary barriers were established between the provinces of Chubut and Santa Cruz, since Patagonia is still considered an area free of the disease. However, once Argentina admitted the disease two refrigerated containers with fresh lamb from Río Gallegos were returned by Britain and now there are fears that the local plant that last year shipped 4 million US dollars, could be forced to cease activities leaving 130 workers redundant. Mercosur foot and mouth experts who recently met in Paraguay agreed to establish common procedures to determine and monitor potential disease areas, and to pool efforts to eliminate foot and mouth in the north of Bolivia and the heartland of Brazil, where the disease is endemic and considered a high risk area for the whole regional beef industry.

Strict measures in Magallanes

Fearing the spread of foot and mouth, FAM, from the north of Chile and even Argentine Patagonia, sanitary authorities in Magallanes working together with local farmers, decided this week to impose strict control measures. The Farmers Association of Magallanes, and other local trade and business organizations agreed not to introduce live cattle from the rest of the country, and have established sanitary mats, plus fumigation, for vehicles and visitors coming into Magallanes from Argentina. Similar requirements are compulsory for travelers coming into Punta Arenas airport or harbor. "Magallanes is a sanitary haven, and we want to keep it that way", said Mr. Gustavo Leiva, president of the Farmers Association. "Our sanitary ass