The Baltic states are strengthening measures to protect their countries from foot-and-mouth disease.

On April 3 Latvia banned imports of second-hand clothing and agricultural machinery from countries struck by the disease. Following Latvia's lead, Lithuania introduced new rules on April 9, requiring that all used clothing imports be accompanied by certificates showing they have been disinfected. Latvia will soon introduce its own certification system, said a senior official at the country's veterinary service. Viktors Grapmanis, head of the food and veterinary department at Latvia's Ministry of Agriculture, acknowledged that the ban was unusual. All three Baltic states import second-hand clothing. Last year Latvia imported 8,570 tons of second-hand shoes and clothing, according to the State Statistical Bureau. Britain, where the current outbreak began, was the largest source, exporting $1.09 million worth of clothes to Latvia. Of the other countries where foot-and-mouth has been confirmed, used clothing imports from the Netherlands totaled $929,630, from France they were worth $23,137, and from Ireland, $792.