Potential U.S. Implications of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has dominated world agricultural news since late February. Although the United States has been free of the disease since 1929, two epidemics—one in Europe (the United Kingdom, France, Ireland, and the Netherlands) and one in South America (Argentina)—could have implications for U.S. agriculture and consumers.

FMD is a severe, highly communicable viral disease of cattle and swine. It also affects sheep, goats, deer, and other cloven-hoofed ruminants. The disease is cha…