The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry has suspended import and in transit movement of cloven hoofed animals or their products from South Africa. Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shilongo has announced the immediate suspension in a statement issued on Tuesday. The suspension followed soon after South Africa reported an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Limpopo, to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE). Shilongo says previously issued import and in-transit permits have been cancelled and recalled. The acting chief veterinary officer says FMD is very contagious and negatively impacts the economy. Clinical signs of the disease include salivation, not grazing, limping, reluctance to move, blisters and ulcers on the tongue, gums and feet. The suspension impacts cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, antelopes and other cloven hoof animals. South Africa reported the outbreak detected in the Vhembe District of Limpopo to the the (OIE) on Monday. The report prompted the OIE to temporarily suspend South Africa’s FMD-free status, thereby banning all exports of cloven hoof animals from there until the district is declared free of FMD.