According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Colombia has restricted the import of beef and beef products from U.S. states where dairy cows have tested positive for avian influenza as of April 15.
It is the first country to officially limit beef trade due to bird flu in cows, a sign of the virus’s broadening economic impact. The virus has restricted poultry trade globally.
According to government data and market analysts, Colombia imports a small amount of beef from the U.S. annually. In a notice that opened a new tab this week on the USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service website, which was last updated on April 22, the agency said the ban includes beef products derived from cattle slaughtered in Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, South Dakota, and Texas.
The notice said Colombia imposed temporary restrictions on raw bovine meat products. If exporters have a valid import permit, shipments may still be held at the port.
The restrictions come as the U.S. government said it will require dairy cattle moving between states to be tested for bird flu starting on Monday. Federal officials are ramping up their response to an outbreak that has bled into the U.S. milk supply.
The measures aim to contain the spread of bird flu, which has been reported in eight states and 33 dairy herds since it was first detected in late March in Texas. A person exposed to cattle tested positive for the disease and suffered conjunctivitis.
