Pets Hunters

Italian mozzarella is threatened

The production of one of Italy's best known exports, mozzarella, is under threat from an infection spreading through herds of water buffalo.

Mozzarella di bufala is not only an essential part of the Italian diet, but one of Italy's most important exports.

The Italian government has set up an emergency commission to try and stop the spread of the disease, which affects milk production.

In the next two months, the Italian government will start the slaughter of 32,000 buffalo, infected with Brucellosis - a contagious bacterial disease that in livestock leads to abortion, infertility and reduced milk production.

It can be transmitted through food to humans, causing severe intermittent fever - though the milk which produces the cheese is perfectly safe when it is pasteurised.

Source: BBC

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