China Bars Import of Cattle, Sheep, Goats From Iraq

China prohibited the direct or indirect import of artiodactyls, including sheep, goats, pigs, cows and deer, from Iraq following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Iraqi livestock, the General Administration of Customs announced, according to an unofficial translation. Last month, Iraq reported to the World Organization for Animal Health that over 1,500 cattle and 500 sheep, of which 11 and 10 died, respectively, were infected with the disease. China said that to protect its livestock and prevent the spread of the disease, Iraqi farmers cannot send cloven-hoofed animals to China, and any shipments of such will be returned or destroyed.