MOZAMBIQUE has banned cloven-hoofed livestock and meat product exports from South Africa and Swaziland due to concern over foot-and-mouth disease. The ban excludes poultry, poultry products, eggs, butter and ultra-pasteurised milk. South Africa has reported foot-and-mouth outbreaks caused by different viruses in KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga since mid-September, which has led to the slaughter of thousands of cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. A vaccination programme has also been implemented. South African meat exports of about R100m a year have almost stopped after a host of countries imposed total or partial bans. – Reuters