Japanese beef exports were suspended on April 20 after several cases of foot-and-mouth disease were thought to have been detected in the south of the country. The ban will remain in place for at least three months.

Three cows at a farm in Miyazaki appeared to show symptoms and initial tests suggested the samples taken were positive. If the findings are confirmed, all 16 cows will be destroyed. The movement of 27,000 cattle and 183,000 pigs in the area has also been restricted.

According to the country’s agriculture ministry, Japan exported 565 tons of beef worth $40 million in the ended March 31. The main export destinations were Vietnam, Hong Kong and the US.

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