An outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in a water buffalo herd in Germany has placed a stop to German meat exports to Great Britain.
Germany confirmed the presence of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg, north of Berlin. It has established disease control restrictions, which include culling infected animals and the implementation of disease control zones.
This is the first outbreak of FMD in 37 years in Germany. Berlin zoos have been closed, while authorities have put in place a six-day halt on livestock transport for pigs, sheep, cattle and goats.
As a result of the outbreak, Germany has officially lost its FMD-free status. This means export health certificates (EHCs) for export of relevant products outside the EU can no longer be certified - this includes exports to Great Britain.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) issued a statement: “WOAH acknowledges Germany’s rapid official notification of an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) marking the disease’s first occurrence in the country since 1988. While the FMD virus is not considered a public health problem, it’s crucial for animal health due to its easy transmission and the significant economic impact it can have.
“Germany has already been putting containment measures in place. Early detection and rapid response are critical to contain any outbreak. WOAH is fully committed to supporting its Members to prevent and rapidly respond to the risk associated with FMD along with its partners and network of reference laboratories.”
“It is now paramount that we make sure our borders are secure so that we don’t risk importing the disease into the UK.”
Tom Bradshaw, NFU
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “The confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany is very worrying news for all livestock keepers across the EU.
“We welcome the swift action taken in reporting the disease so that we can minimise the risk to all livestock keepers, and it is now paramount that we make sure our borders are secure so that we don’t risk importing the disease into the UK.
“With so much uncertainty about where this disease is and where it came from, and knowing the impact this horrendous disease can have, we’re calling on the Government to ban personal imports of meat, milk, and meat and milk products, unless accompanied by official veterinary documentation.
“The Government must also ensure that those fighting illegal meat imports, including Border Force, have the resources they need to stamp out this practice.”
“The emergence of FMD in Germany is of significant concern, not only for our livestock owners but also for the entire agricultural sector across the UK, Republic of Ireland and the EU.”
Andrew Muir, DAERA
Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs for Northern Ireland, called on livestock owners in Northern Ireland to remain vigilant: “The emergence of FMD in Germany is of significant concern, not only for our livestock owners but also for the entire agricultural sector across the UK, Republic of Ireland and the EU. Therefore, it is crucial that we take proactive steps to protect our livestock.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of responsible sourcing to protect our livestock from any disease incursion. Furthermore, I am reminding all keepers of the need for high levels of biosecurity and to remain alert and report any unusual symptoms promptly to a veterinarian or my department.”
A spokesperson for the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers (AIMS) said: “As this is a single outbreak on a single farm, we urge the German authorities to take samples and check as to whether this has been caused deliberately via an act of bioterrorism.
“It is widely believed, though not yet proved, that Ukraine’s ASF has been caused through bioterrorism.”
