UK bans German cattle and pig imports after foot-and-mouth case | EUROtoday

The UK has launched a ban on pigs, sheep and cattle imports from Germany after a case of foot-and-mouth illness was confirmed within the nation.

The authorities stated on Tuesday it would not approve well being certificates for animals, recent meat and animal merchandise prone to the illness to forestall its unfold to the UK the place there are at the moment no confirmed instances.

While there is no such thing as a danger to people or meals security, foot-and-mouth is very contagious in pigs, sheep and cattle, in addition to different cloven-hoofed animals.

In 2001 and 2007, the UK suffered main outbreaks of the illness, resulting in thousands and thousands of livestock animals being slaughtered throughout the nation.

Farming minister Daniel Zeichner stated the federal government will do “whatever it takes to protect our nation’s farmers from the risk posed by foot-and-mouth”.

He added: “That is why restrictions have immediately been brought in on animal products from Germany to prevent an outbreak, and we will not hesitate to add additional countries to the list if the disease spreads.

“We will proceed to maintain the state of affairs beneath evaluation, working carefully with the German authorities.”

Foot-and-mouth disease is a legally notifiable disease, meaning it is an offence not to report a case to the government.

As well as culling animals, farmers affected by the disease could see reduced milk production, as well as wider economic implications such as the loss of access to foreign markets for animals and their subsequent products.

Major outbreaks in 2001 and 2007 cost the public and private sectors billions.

For cattle, symptoms of the disease include blisters and sores on their feet, mouth and tongue, as well as lameness, fever and reluctance to feed.

In sheep and pigs, symptoms typically present as lameness and blisters.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss has asked “livestock keepers to train the upmost vigilance for indicators of illness, comply with scrupulous biosecurity, and report any suspicion of illness instantly to the Animal and Plant Health Agency”.

The authorities not too long ago introduced a £200m funding within the UK’s fundamental analysis and laboratory testing services at Weybridge to bolster safety in opposition to animal illness.