BUENOS AIRES - A government institution in Argentina has developed an experimental alfalfa seed that could be useful in fighting hoof and mouth disease among the nation's cattle herds.

The National Institute of Agricultural Technology conducted successful tests on mice, indicating that the alfalfa produced from this special seed could replace the vaccine currently being used to prevent the propagation of the disease, which affects cloven-hoofed animals.

Hoof and mouth, caused by a virus, is not spread to humans but does severely affect the quality of the meat coming from infected livestock. The disease had been eradicated in Argentina, but then reappeared, causing 400 million dollars in losses last year alone.

Researchers have incorporated a protein from the virus into the alfalfa seed. The idea is that cattle feeding on the resulting alfalfa plant would produce antibodies related to the protein and their own immuno-defense systems would then work against the hoof and mouth virus.

QUITO - Strong winds, lack of rain and the recklessness of humans caused more than 430 forest fires last month in areas surrounding the Ecuadorian capital.

More than three million square meters of green areas and forests were consumed by the blazes, reports the municipal firefighting force. In comparison, fires destroyed 2.7 million square meters from January to July of this year in the same area.

Beginning in September, the municipal government has applied its 'Plan Fuego' to prevent forest fires and to increase resources for the 17 auxiliary brigades that back up the firefighters.

MEXICO CITY - The North American Environmental Cooperation Commission is to provide a total of 411,400 dollars to 17 non-governmental organizations in the region to develop environmental projects.

The money will be used in initiatives for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in marine areas and in plans to foment community participation in issues related to children's health and the environment.

The Environmental Cooperation Commission, created within the framework of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - comprising Canada, Mexico and the United States -, has supported environmental programs since 1995 with a total of around six million dollars.

HAVANA - Cuba will soon have nationally-manufactured watercraft that are propelled by solar energy, satisfying some of its goals in developing ecological tourism.

The prototype, baptized ''Halcón (Falcon) Solar 800'', passed its first test with flying colors in the waters of Lake Hanabanilla, in the central province of Villa Clara, researchers told Tierramérica.

The vessel is made of reinforced plastic, fiberglass and wood, holds six passengers, can reach a velocity of four knots and has the capacity for four-hour journeys. The ''Halcón Solar 800'' obtains its energy from solar panels and does not pollute the environment with fuel emissions or noise.