Germany Faces Export Restrictions Following First Case of Foot-and-Mouth Disease

According to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, the detection of FMD has led to the loss of Germany’s status as an FMD-free country under the guidelines of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). As a result, numerous veterinary certificates required for exports outside the EU can no longer be issued.

“The export of milk and dairy products, meat and meat products, hides and skins, as well as blood products is now hardly possible,” the ministry stated, adding that it anticipates third countries will immediately impose bans on the import of these goods from Germany.

German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir emphasized that the priority is to prevent the disease from spreading further.

Exports of German meat within the EU are likely to continue, as current regulations only mandate suspensions from regions directly affected by the disease, a ministry spokesperson clarified.

However, some nations, including South Korea, have already moved to restrict the import of German meat, the spokesperson added.

In response to the outbreak, authorities in Berlin and Brandenburg have announced a six-day suspension on the transportation of animals susceptible to FMD while investigations into the cause of the outbreak continue.

Joachim Rukwied, President of the German Farmers' Association, called for urgent and decisive action to contain the outbreak and mitigate further financial losses for farmers.

The disease was reportedly detected in a buffalo herd near Berlin, raising concerns about the potential impact on Germany’s agricultural sector and its international trade relationships.