Policy responses

Import bans / border closure:

• Following a plague outbreak in Surat (India) in 1994, Bangladesh, Oman, Qatar, Italy and the United Arab Emirates stopped importing all foodstuffs from India, and many other countries followed suit. Bangladesh also stopped the movement of people at border crossings with India.
• Following a cholera outbreak in Peru in 1991, Bolivia, Chile, and Ecuador banned imports of Peruvian perishable foods while the European Community banned all imports from Peru.
• Following an Ebola outbreak in Guinea in 2014, Senegal, Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Sierra Leone and Liberia decided to close the border with Guinea.

Links and references

https://www.who.int/bulletin/archives/78%2811%291358.pdf

http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/101511468028867410/pdf/wps4466.pdf

http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5641e.pdf

 

Pros Potentially reducing the spread of the disease.

Cons While it is advised to follow WHO’s recommendations regarding travel and trade, third countries’ measures can impact the economy of countries subject to the restrictions. Measure can lead to retaliation and costly trade disputes. Disruption of the functioning of regional food and agricultural markets.

Minimum conditions When borders must be closed for established health reasons, it is important to consider establishing trade corridors to minimize disruptions to the flow of agricultural goods and the functioning of markets.