SINGAPORE, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Singapore on Saturday decided to ban meat imports from Britain after cattle in southern England have been found to be infected with foot and mouth disease (FMD).

    According to Channel NewsAsia reports on Saturday night, the decision was made by Singapore's Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA), which said that the ban is to protect Singapore's foot-and-mouth disease-free status and the agri-business trade.

    The ban, which becomes effective immediately, includes pork, mutton and beef but canned pork and lamb products are not affected as the canning process is able to deactivate the virus that causes the disease.

    The AVA was also quoted as saying that the ban will not affect Singapore's trade with Britain significantly as beef imports have long been suspended due to the mad cow disease (BSE).