An outbreak of FMD (foot and mouth disease) virus serotype O has been confirmed in a herd of water buffalo near Brandenberg, in the Markisch Odèland district of Germany (to the west of Berlin). This is the first instance of FMD in Germany since 1988.
The cases were confirmed on 10 January 2025 and affected three water buffalo out of a herd of 14. The remaining animals in the herd have been culled to prevent further spread.
200 pigs on a nearby farm have also been culled as a precaution.
The NFU is aware that Belgium is also investigating suspected FMD with results from those investigations expected today (13 January 2025).
A 3km exclusion zone and a 10km surveillance zone have been put in place around the IP (infected premises) and the German authorities are slaughtering all susceptible livestock within 1km, including wild boar within 1km of the IP.
Additionally, no animals or their products can be taken out of this area.
The German authorities are conducting the relevant investigations to determine the source of the infection.
Vaccines
Suitable vaccines against FMDV (foot and mouth disease virus), serotype O are available in the German FMD antigen bank. Once activated by the Länder, the FMD antigen bank can produce the necessary vaccines within a few days.
Surveillance information will determine any further measures that may need to be taken, as well as whether and how to use a vaccine.
“With so much uncertainty about where this disease is and where it came from, and knowing the impact this horrendous disease can have, we're calling on the government to ban personal imports of meat, milk, and meat and milk products, unless accompanied by official veterinary documentation.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Trade impact and considerations
Germany has lost its FMDV disease freedom so cannot export live animals or products of animal origin, including meat or dairy (from susceptible species).
Ruminant livestock movements were already stopped because of bluetongue although this previous stoppage did not apply to live pigs as they are not susceptible to bluetongue.
The UK does have pre-Brexit robust limits on what can be brought in by non-commercial, personal travellers from non-EU/ EFTA states. However, this is not the case for personal imports from the EU.
There are limited restrictions on what can be brought into the country from the EU.
The UK was promised a new personal imports policy by the previous government, to be published in October 2023, as part of the new BTOM – that has not yet happened.
The only limits on personal POAO (Products Of Animal Origin) coming into the GB from the EU are:
- to limit the amount of pork that can be brought into GB to 2kg and it must be packed and carry a health mark. (This is for ASF safeguards)
- suspension of personal imports of unpackaged sheep and goat meat / milk and meat/ milk products.
Additionally, commercially produced and packaged sheep and goat milk and milk products are not permitted from Greece, Romania and Bulgaria (areas affected by Peste des Petits Ruminants outbreaks).
In January 2003, following the 2001/2002 outbreak, the EU commission implemented a robust safeguard against FMD which remains in place today, whereby:
‘Travellers entering the EU from certain third countries will no longer be allowed to bring in personal imports of meat, meat products, milk or milk products, on their person or in their luggage, unless accompanied by official veterinary documentation.’
The NFU is calling for a similar robust approach to be applied in the UK. Also, that those who are policing illegal imports, including our Border Force and Port Health Authorities have the necessary resources they need to stamp out this activity where it exists.
The UK’s Office of SPS Assurance is considering what safeguard measures will be put in place following the outbreak in Germany. A statement is expected shortly.
The NFU is aware that German authorities are holding at least 10 containers of chilled pork and cured bacon and gammon at their ports now.
In addition, Germany has announced a 6 day stop of livestock transport for animals that transmit the disease.
NFU comment
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “The confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany is very worrying news for all livestock keepers across the EU.
“We welcome the swift action taken in reporting the disease so that we can minimise the risk to all livestock keepers, and it is now paramount that we make sure our borders are secure so that we don’t risk importing the disease into the UK.
“With so much uncertainty about where this disease is and where it came from, and knowing the impact this horrendous disease can have, we're calling on the government to ban personal imports of meat, milk, and meat and milk products, unless accompanied by official veterinary documentation.
“The government must also ensure that those fighting illegal meat imports, including Border Force, have the resources they need to stamp out this practice.”
Spotting the signs
FMD affects cattle, sheep and pigs. The last outbreak in Great Britain was in 2007. Currently, there are no cases or control zones in the UK.
For information on spotting the signs, visit: GOV.UK | Foot and mouth disease: how to spot and report it
- Signs of foot and mouth disease
- Report foot and mouth disease
- How foot and mouth disease is spread
- Preventing and controlling foot and mouth disease
