UK response
The UK Government stepped up measures to prevent the spread of FMD with a ban on commercial imports to GB of cattle, pigs and sheep, goats and other non-domestic ruminants and porcines such as deer and their untreated products, such as fresh meat and dairy from Hungary, Slovakia, Austria and parts of Germany.
No cases have been confirmed in Austria – the ban has been implemented due to its proximity to the latest case in Hungary.
GB health certificates will no longer be issued for animals susceptible to FMD including all live animals and fresh meat and animal products.
In addition, Defra has confirmed a ban on personal imports from Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria – these include meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, and animal by-products of pigs and ruminants.
While horses and companion animals are not susceptible to FMD, hay feed or straw bedding, if sourced from an infected area, could act as a fomite and therefore are also prevented from entering GB.
The government is taking action to prevent consignments entering Great Britain that were already in process.
Further information is available at:
- GOV.UK | Import ban of cattle, pigs, sheep and deer from Hungary and Slovakia to protect farmers after foot and mouth case
- GOV.UK | Foot and Mouth disease controls amended in Germany
- Import ban of cattle, pigs, sheep, and deer from Austria to protect farmers
Commodity restrictions
Restrictions are in place on the import of the following commodities from the entire territories of Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and parts of Germany:
- live (including non-domestic) ruminant and porcine animals, including wild game, and their germplasm
- fresh meat from ruminant and porcine animals (including chilled and frozen)
- meat products from ruminant and porcine animals that have not been subject to specific treatment D1, D, C or B (including wild game)
- milk, colostrum and their products, unless subjected to treatment as defined in Article 4 of Regulation 2010/605
- certain animal by-products
- hay and straw
For more information on EU and EFTA states approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales), visit: GOV.UK | EU and EFTA countries approved to export animals and animal products to Great Britain
Automatic regionalisation
Throughout the EU there is a policy of automatic regionalisation, whereby animals and POAO (Products Of Animal Origin) from Germany can move to other Member States providing they do not originate from the 10km zone.
As of 24 March, Great Britain has officially recognised regionalisation for FMD in Germany at the containment zone level, which covers a 6km radius around the outbreak. Consequently, the export of affected commodities can resume from areas outside this zone, provided all other import requirements are satisfied.
This decision follows rigorous technical assessment of the measures applied in Germany and the current situation. The government says that, should the situation change, it will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity.
Personal imports of packaged and unpackaged meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, certain composite products and animal by-products of pigs and ruminants will remain in place at a country level.
Personal import restrictions
Restrictions on personal imports of commodities from susceptible animals (primarily ruminants and porcines) from the EU in response to the FMD outbreak reflect the recent tightening of ASF controls:
- All unpackaged ruminant and porcine commodities will be restricted from the entire territory of the EU.
- All commercially packaged ruminant and porcine commodities from the EU are limited to 2kg per traveller, and must bear an identification or health mark (or commercial labelling if it is an animal by-product) to evidence it is commercially produced.
- No ruminant or porcine commodities will be permitted from the entire territories of Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, including commercially packaged commodities. This is a significant tightening in personal imports policy as previously there have been no restrictions to stop EU travellers bringing in large volumes of Product Of Animal Origin for personal consumption.
- Susceptible animal commodities include bovine, caprine, ovine, cervid, porcine and camelid products.
- Certain exemptions apply for infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products (e.g. chocolate and biscuits).
- Live animals, germplasm and untreated wool, hair, skins and hides are not permitted for personal import under separate rules.
The new restrictions shine a greater spotlight on any illegal meat imports. The government must ensure that those fighting against illegal meat imports, including our Port Health Authorities and UK Border Force, have the resources they need to stamp out this practice and that the consequences of undertaking such illegal activity be suitably severe so as to act as a disincentive. Read: NFU calls for stronger deterrents for illegal personal imports
NFU comment
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The confirmed outbreak of foot and mouth disease in parts of Europe is very worrying news. It serves as a reminder for UK keepers to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases.
“We welcome the swift action taken in reporting the disease so that we can minimise the risk to all livestock keepers.
“We also welcome the ban on personal imports of all meat, milk, meat and milk products and animal by-products of pigs and ruminants from those affected countries, something that the NFU has been calling for.
“While the FMD source remains unidentified in parts of Europe, stricter border controls are essential. The government must also ensure that those fighting illegal meat imports, including the Border Force, have the resources they need to stamp out this practice.”
Read: NFU calls for stronger deterrents for illegal personal imports
