The Canadian government announced Tuesday that Canada would ban the import of all live animals and beef products from the European Union (EU) because of concerns over foot-and-mouth disease, Canadian Television (CTV) reported.

Agricultural Minister Lyle Vanclief was quoted by the report as saying that the ban would be there as long as necessary to ensure that foot-and-mouth disease doesn’t enter Canada.

The Ban also covers farm products and used farm equipment, which could carry the foot-and-mouth disease, CTV said.

Canada has also banned imports of live animals, embryos, semen and animal products from Argentina, after the South American country confirmed a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak Tuesday.

Canada banned meat imports from Britain after foot-and-mouth disease was discovered there last month. The country has also installed disinfectant mats at ports of entry to ensure travelers don’t carry the virus into the country on the soles of their shoes.

There has not been a case of foot-and-mouth disease in Canada since 1952.

(Xinhua 03/14/2001)