News in brief:
– Germany has regained its foot-and-mouth disease-free status in most areas, allowing for the easing of export restrictions on meat and dairy products.
– The outbreak was isolated, and authorities implemented strict containment measures to prevent further spread.
Germany has officially regained its status as free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in most areas, a significant step toward lifting export restrictions on meat and dairy products, according to the country’s agriculture ministry.
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) approved the designation, effective from March 12, with only a small containment zone around the original outbreak site remaining under restrictions.
The country reported its first FMD outbreak in nearly 40 years on January 10, after the disease was detected in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin in the Brandenburg region. However, the outbreak has remained isolated, with no additional cases reported since. While the exact source of the infection remains unknown, German authorities have taken swift action, including culling infected animals and imposing strict domestic containment measures.
Following the outbreak, several countries, including Britain, South Korea, and Mexico, imposed bans on German meat and dairy imports. Some restrictions, particularly from China, have since been eased. With WOAH’s confirmation, German Agriculture Minister Cem Oezdemir expressed optimism about restoring trade relations.
“The official confirmation from WOAH is a decisive basis for our discussions with third countries and will benefit exports,” he said. “I am confident that our trade relations for the affected agricultural products will quickly normalise.”
Despite posing minimal health risks to humans and not affecting food safety, FMD remains a highly contagious disease among cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep. Infected animals suffer from fever, blisters, and decreased productivity, leading to significant economic losses for farmers. Authorities continue to stress the importance of biosecurity measures, surveillance, and vaccination strategies to prevent future outbreaks and mitigate economic disruptions.
