Colombia becomes first country to restrict US beef due to avian flu in dairy cows

CHICAGO (Reuters) - Colombia restricted imports of beef and meat products from U.S. states where dairy cows tested positive for bird flu starting April 15, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. It is the first country to officially limit beef trade due to avian influenza in cows, in a sign of the growing economic impact of the virus that has restricted poultry trade worldwide. Colombia imports a small amount of U.S. beef annually, according to government data and market analysts. In a notice opening a new tab this week on the USDA 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. Colombia has imposed temporary restrictions on raw beef products, the notice said. If exporters have a valid import license, shipments may still be detained at the port. The restrictions come as the ...