Belgium acts against cattle disease

Belgium has closed its livestock markets for a week, as a precaution against contagion from the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Britain.

In addition, the movement of cattle, sheep, pigs and goats has been banned.

The slaughter of thousands of animals has begun at several farms in Britain where the disease has been identified.

European Union farm ministers meet on Monday to discuss what's seen as a growing agricultural crisis; last week fresh cases of mad cow disease were reported in Italy, Germany, Belgium, Spain and Switzerland.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service