Venezuelan Agriculture Ministry said on Wednesday it has banned imports of animals and meat products from Brazil because of concerns of foot-and-mouth disease.

The ministry ban covers Brazil's cows, sheep, goats, pigs, other susceptible species and Brazilian-made products of these animals.

It said that the measure would extend until international bodies declare Brazil free of the disease.

The Brazilian government has confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been found in two states.

Venezuela is a big importer of meat from Argentina, Brazil and other South American nations. In July, the country bought 7,800 tons of meat from Brazil, Argentina and Colombia to guard against a possible shortage.

Source: Xinhua