Worries About Bird Flu Outbreak in Cows Are Spreading --- Colombia is blocking imports of some beef from the U.S., in the first international trade restriction tied to the spread of bird flu in American cattle. The move raises the specter of broader threats to the global market for #US beef and dairy products tied to the outbreak. Colombia’s embassy to the U.S. didn’t respond to a request for comment. Its government is temporarily restricting imports of fresh or frozen beef or beef products made from cattle slaughtered in Texas, Kansas, New Mexico, or other states affected by the bird flu outbreak in dairy herds. Four companies dominate the U.S. beef industry: JBS USA, Tyson Foods, Cargill, and National Beef Packing. Colombia’s $39 million of imports last year is a small part of the $10 billion of beef the U.S. exported, and no other countries have restricted American beef imports. The U.S. Meat Export Federation warned of possible shipment delays to the Dominican Republic. Concern about the bird flu outbreak grew after the Food and Drug Administration found traces of the virus in pasteurized milk on store shelves. Those traces don’t seem to be able to cause infections. Officials said commercial milk and beef supplies are safe despite the outbreak, which has been identified in 33 dairy herds in eight states. There haven’t been any confirmed detection of the virus in commercial beef herds, and the USDA hasn’t received reports of symptoms in beef herds. What’s Next: The USDA said it would require all lactating dairy cattle to be tested before they are moved between states, and it would also require laboratories and state officials to report all positive test results. —Josh Nathan-Kazis and Liz Moyer (Barron's)