The UK has banned imports of pigs, sheep and cattle from Germany after a case of foot and mouth disease was confirmed in the country.
The government said on Tuesday it would no longer approve health certificates for animals, fresh meat and animal products susceptible to the disease in order to prevent its spread in the UK, where there is no currently no confirmed cases.
Although there is no risk to humans or food safety, foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious in pigs, sheep and cattle, as well as other hoofed animals.
In 2001 and 2007, the UK experienced major disease outbreaks, leading to the culling of millions of livestock across the country.
Agriculture Minister Daniel Zeichner said the government would do “whatever it takes to protect our country’s farmers from the risk posed by foot-and-mouth disease.”
He added: “This is why restrictions were immediately imposed on animal products from Germany in order to prevent an outbreak, and we will not hesitate to add other countries to the list if the disease spreads.
“We will continue to monitor the situation, working closely with the German authorities.”
Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease, meaning it is an offense to fail to report a case to the government.
In addition to the culling of animals, farmers affected by the disease could see reduced milk production, as well as broader economic implications such as loss of access to foreign markets for the animals and their subsequent products.
The major epidemics of 2001 and 2007 cost the public and private sectors billions.
For cattle, symptoms of the disease include blisters and sores on the feet, mouth and tongue, as well as lameness, fever and reluctance to feed.
In sheep and pigs, symptoms usually present in the form of lameness and blisters.
The UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Christine Middlemiss, has called on “farmers to exercise the utmost vigilance for signs of disease, scrupulously follow biosecurity and report any suspected disease immediately to the Animal Health Agency.” animal and plant health.
The Government recently announced a £200 million investment in the UK’s leading research and laboratory testing facilities in Weybridge to strengthen protection against animal diseases.
