China Eases Restrictions on German Dairy Imports Amid Foot-and-Mouth Disease Concerns

China has lifted certain restrictions imposed on German milk and dairy imports due to concerns over foot-and-mouth disease, as confirmed by Germany's agriculture ministry late on Wednesday. This decision follows extensive negotiations between the two nations.

Germany had reported its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in nearly four decades on January 10, found in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg, near Berlin. No further cases have been reported since then, although the cause of the outbreak remains unknown.

Following discussions, China has agreed to allow the import of heat-treated German dairy products immediately, marking a significant resumption of trade. In 2023, China imported over 296,000 metric tons of German milk and dairy products, accounting for 24.9% of Germany’s dairy exports outside the European Union.

"With China, we have one of the largest and most important markets for our dairy products back on board," stated German agriculture minister Cem Oezdemir. He emphasized the efforts made by the ministry to minimize economic impacts and reopen international markets for German animal agricultural products.

In February, the European Commission authorized the lifting of a 3-kilometer protection zone surrounding the outbreak site, reclassifying it as an observation zone. Germany anticipates being declared free of the disease after three months without new cases, which could subsequently lead to the removal of export restrictions on German meat and dairy products.

The German agriculture ministry also mentioned preparing an application to the World Organisation for Animal Health to have the country officially recognized as free of foot-and-mouth disease.