Wedoany.com Report-Mar 31, The UK government has recently imposed an import ban on livestock from Austria following the emergence of a new case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in neighboring Hungary. On March 26, FMD was confirmed on a large dairy farm in northwest Hungary, near the Austrian border, marking Hungary’s second confirmed outbreak in 50 years. The first case, detected on March 7, was on a vast cattle farm. In neighboring Slovakia, FMD was also reported in three farms, while in Germany, the disease was confirmed in a small herd of water buffaloes near Berlin earlier this month.
Defra has suspended commercial imports from Austria following a new foot-and-mouth case
The UK government, citing proximity to the Hungarian case, announced the ban on March 28. It suspended commercial imports of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and porcines (including deer and wild boar), along with their untreated products such as fresh meat, dairy, and certain composite products. Travelers are prohibited from bringing meat, meat products, dairy products, composite items, and animal by-products from Austria, including hay or straw.
Veterinary experts have warned livestock keepers to remain vigilant for signs of FMD, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strict biosecurity. Dr. Christine Middlemiss, the UK’s chief veterinary officer, stated that the ban was taken to prevent the import of potentially high-risk goods due to the recent outbreaks in Hungary, Slovakia, and Germany.
FMD, while not posing direct risks to human or food safety, is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs, and other livestock, including deer, llamas, and alpacas. Rodents can also be affected, leading to significant economic losses for affected animals and markets. The 2001 FMD outbreak in the UK saw around 2,000 cases across farms.
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner expressed confidence in the measures taken to protect farmers from FMD. “We will continue to protect our nation’s farmers from the risk posed by foot and mouth disease,” he said, reiterating the immediate import restrictions on Austria and calling for ongoing surveillance. If the disease spreads further, additional countries may be added to the list.
