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Foot-and-mouth disease confirmed in Germany
The disease is highly transmissable among cloven-hoofed ruminants.

The UK has banned the import of cattle from Germany.

Authorities in Germany have reported the country’s first case of foot-and-mouth disease in nearly 40 years.

The discovery means that Germany has now lost its status as free from foot-and-mouth disease under World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) requirements.

The loss of status comes after foot-and-mouth disease was identified in a herd of water buffalo on the outskirts of Berlin. German authorities say that measures are being taken to contain the highly infectious disease.

Foot-and-mouth disease, although not affecting humans, can cause fever and mouth blisters in cloven-hoofed ruminants such as cattle, sheep and goats. As well as affecting the sale of these animals, it can also impact the yield of animal products.

In past decades, the disease has required major slaughtering campaigns to eradicate it.

The UK government has responded to the threat by imposing a ban on the import of all cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany. GB health certificates will no longer be issued for animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, or any related animal products.

There are currently no cases in the UK.

Dr Christine Middlemiss, UK chief veterinary officer, said: “We remain in constant contact with German counterparts to understand the latest situation following their confirmation of a single case of foot-and-mouth disease.  
 
"We have robust contingency plans in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain's food security, which means using all measures to limit the risk incursion and spread of this devastating disease.
 
“I would urge livestock keepers to exercise the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”


Germany’s loss of status means that meat and dairy exports outside the European Union (EU) now face severe restrictions. Many veterinary certificates for exports outside the EU can no longer be issued, however EU rules mean that meat produced outside of the affected region can still be exported to EU countries.

The country’s federal agriculture ministry says that it ‘assumed third countries would immediately impose bans on such goods from Germany’.

Authorities in Berlin and Brandenburg have also enforced a six-day halt on transport of animals which can transmit the disease.


Image © Shutterstock

 

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.