The incineration of all sheep from stocks imported from Britain in the past two months is underway. The government is also considering destroying the thousands of sheep and pigs imported in the same period.
Several farms are under quarantine.
A week-long ban on livestock markets also comes into force today. Customs officials have instructions to confiscate animal products from people arriving from Britain by road, air and sea. France France yesterday ordered the slaughter of 20,000 sheep imported from Britain since February 1. No case of foot and mouth disease has been found but authorities say all animals imported from Britain in the past 30 days are being actively traced and will be quarantined if they have not already been slaughtered. Farms and abattoirs that had contact with British livestock, as well as British refrigerated lorries arriving at Calais or other Channel ports, were subject to extra inspections.