010511 Uruguay Preps Cattle Disease Measures

Montevideo, Uruguay - The Uruguayan government announced it was preparing economy measures to deal with the effects of the foot-and-mouth disease.

“We are studying means to improve the competitiveness of agriculture and the export sectors as a way of dealing with the difficult situation we are in,” Bension said.

Among the measures being considered, according to reports, are direct financial aid to agricultural producers and a request for an international loan.

The disease broke Tuesday when the first case of the virus was confirmed. Since then 160 cases have been confirmed in 15 of Uruguay's 19 states.

The outbreak has led to the suspension of Uruguayan meat sales to its leading markets.

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

E-mail: sflanagan@sprintmail.com