UK Implements Ban on Meat and Dairy Imports from Europe Due to Foot and Mouth Disease Risk
Source: dairynews.today
The UK has introduced a ban on passengers bringing meat and dairy into the country from Europe to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease, following a worrying risk assessment by Defra.
The UK has moved to ban passengers from importing meat and dairy products such as ham and cheese in their luggage from Europe in light of recent foot and mouth disease outbreaks in Germany, Slovakia, and Hungary.
This decision emerged after Defra published a risk assessment warning of the "silent spread" potential of the disease, as it can incubate without detection in animals for up to two weeks. According to Defra, the risk of the virus entering Britain was considered 'medium', implying regular entry over the next three months through personal, commercial, or illegal trade routes. The 2001 crisis, which resulted in the culling of six million cows and an economic cost of £15 billion in today's terms, underscores the severity of a potential outbreak.
The UK government decided to implement the passenger import ban to communicate a clear, preventive message and improve compliance, though the ban does not extend to Northern Ireland or commercial imports. Defra highlighted that if the disease were to spread to more EU member states, the current 'medium' risk level for the UK could escalate to 'high'. Defra emphasized the transmissibility of FMD through unrestricted movement across EU states and the potential infection of wild animals like boar and deer, raising concerns over uncontained spread despite existing restrictions.
This decision emerged after Defra published a risk assessment warning of the "silent spread" potential of the disease, as it can incubate without detection in animals for up to two weeks. According to Defra, the risk of the virus entering Britain was considered 'medium', implying regular entry over the next three months through personal, commercial, or illegal trade routes. The 2001 crisis, which resulted in the culling of six million cows and an economic cost of £15 billion in today's terms, underscores the severity of a potential outbreak.
The UK government decided to implement the passenger import ban to communicate a clear, preventive message and improve compliance, though the ban does not extend to Northern Ireland or commercial imports. Defra highlighted that if the disease were to spread to more EU member states, the current 'medium' risk level for the UK could escalate to 'high'. Defra emphasized the transmissibility of FMD through unrestricted movement across EU states and the potential infection of wild animals like boar and deer, raising concerns over uncontained spread despite existing restrictions.
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