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Two more countries ban US beef.

Malaysia joins beef bans

MALAYSIA has suspended the import of beef from the United States because of mad cow disease fears, matching similar action taken by other Asian governments.

The decision, which took effect immediately, was a "precautionary step," Hawari Hussein, director general of the Department of Veterinary Services, told The Associated Press.

Mr Hawari said the move would not have much impact on consumers in Malaysia, which imports about 290 tons of beef annually from the United States...


Singapore bans US beef imports

SINGAPORE has banned beef imports from the United States on fears of mad cow disease. The ban could last at least six years.


The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore said the suspension of US beef imports went into effect immediately.

The move came after a cow in Washington state tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Enchephalophalopathy, or mad cow disease.


Singapore would not import beef from the United States again until it certifies that it has been free of the disease for six years, the authority said in a statement.

Singapore imposed a similar ban on Canadian beef in May following a case of the illness in northern Alberta.

Singapore this year imported 988 tons of beef from the United States, valued at 12.2 million Singapore dollars, it said...