010306 Burger King Has Foot And Mouth Beef PlanMarch 3, 2001Chicago - Burger King Corp., a unit of London-based Diageo Plc, said it has a plan to purchase more beef from southern Ireland if a worldwide ban on British livestock caused by an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease goes beyond a week. "Depending on how the situation evolves, they'll see whether or not they look at contingency," said Chris Bosch, a spokeswoman in the company's Miami, Fla. headquarters. "There is southern Irish beef used currently. It would be a matter of increasing the amount." Bosch was unable to provide details on the amount of non-British beef now purchased by the hamburger chain for its some 650 U.K. restaurants. A ban instituted by the British government expires this weekend, she said. Foot-and-mouth disease, which does not affect humans, was found in a U.K. beef herd last week. The disease can be spread by wind, on vehicle wheels, and on human clothing. It attacks cattle, pigs, sheep and goats, and is characterized by blisters on the mouth and feet and can be fatal to young animals. Twenty-six discovered cases have caused pork exports to be halted, sporting events to be suspended, and put Britain's armed forces on standby to guard against the spread of the disease.
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