EN 中文 DE FR عربى

UK Enforces Ban on Livestock Imports from Germany Amid FMD Concerns

Source: DairyNews.today
250 EN 中文 DE FR عربى
The UK has banned cattle and other livestock imports from Germany following a Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak.
UK Enforces Ban on Livestock Imports from Germany Amid FMD Concerns

The United Kingdom has swiftly moved to safeguard its agricultural sector by imposing a ban on the commercial importation of livestock such as cattle, pigs, sheep, deer, and buffaloes from Germany. This decision follows the confirmation of a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak within the German borders.

The ban, which took effect on January 15, extends to livestock products, including meat, milk, and dairy items, whether commercially packaged or not. This prohibition applies to travelers bringing such products into Great Britain from EU nations, EFTA states, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland. Travelers are advised to dispose of these items in designated secure bins at ports and airports.

The UK's risk level for FMD has been elevated to medium, underscoring the urgency of stringent biosecurity measures. Although FMD does not threaten human health, it remains a highly contagious disease impacting cattle, sheep, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals.

Expert Opinions

Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer, Sheila Voas, empathized with the agricultural community's concerns, noting the proactive measures taken since the last FMD incident in 2001. Voas emphasized the importance of maintaining strict farm biosecurity, adhering to swill feeding bans, and promptly reporting suspicions of notifiable diseases to avert another outbreak.

"Quickly recognizing clinical signs of the disease in livestock is vital to controlling and preventing it from spreading. In cattle and pigs, the signs are usually visible; however, sheep may not always display obvious symptoms. I urge sheep farmers to be particularly vigilant," Voas stressed.

Additional information and biosecurity guidance for the FMD virus are accessible at www.gov.scot/footandmouthdisease.


Key News of the Week
Calendar