Transporting cattle, selling beef temporarily prohibited in NCP

Transporting cattle, slaughtering cattle for meat and selling beef have been temporarily prohibited in the North Central Province owing to reports of the spread of Foot-and-Mouth disease.

Incidents with regards to the disease have been reported from several areas in the island, North Central Province Agriculture Minister R.M.P.B. Rathnayake stated.

Reports indicate that the disease has spread most in the Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa Districts.

Rathnayake said that the decision was taken in order to prevent the possible spread of the disease adding that around 400 cows had fallen victim to the disease.

Hoofed animals such as goats and pigs are also susceptible to the disease while authorities are taking steps to implement a special programme to control its spread.

Selling the meat of hoofed animals has been temporarily banned in the North Western Province.