Manila, March 28 -- The Department of Agriculture on Friday announced a temporary ban on the importation of live swine, bovines, and water buffaloes, including certain animal products from South Korea and Hungary, following confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in said countries.

In a news release, the DA said that Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. issued separate memorandum orders enforcing the ban after veterinary authorities in Hungary and South Korea reported FMD outbreaks in domestic buffaloes on March 7, and domestic cattle on March 18.

The cases were also confirmed by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).

"We are imposing the ban to prevent the entry of the FMD virus and protect the health of th...