Biosecurity

Scotland bans German livestock imports after FMD discovery

Sheep Central January 17, 2025

SCOTLAND has banned imports of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany following the discovery of Foot and Mouth Disease in water buffalo in Brandenburg.

The risk level of FMD to the UK has been increased to medium, gthe Scottish Government said in a statement.

The FMD virus spreads easily through direct contact and airborne transmission is possible; and the disease can quickly affect entire herds/flocks.

It does not pose a risk to human health, but is a highly contagious virus of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals.

The Scottish Government said it will continue to monitor the situation – working closely with German authorities and other UK administrations to take necessary actions to protect livestock.

Scotland’s chief veterinary officer Sheila Voas said she appreciated the concern the latest development will be causing to the farming community and wider agricultural sector in Scotland.

“We have not seen foot and mouth disease in Scotland since 2001, and, alongside government restrictions, with strict on-farm biosecurity, compliance with the swill feeding ban, and the reporting of all suspicions of notifiable disease promptly – we can avoid a further outbreak.

“Quickly recognising clinical signs of the disease in livestock is vital to controlling and preventing it from spreading. In cattle and pigs the signs of disease are usually readily seen; however, sheep do not always show obvious clinical signs. I would urge sheep farmers to be particularly vigilant,” she said.

Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said Scotland had robust contingency plans in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and the country’s food security.

“The Scottish Government’s preparedness was tested in 2018 through Exercise Blackthorn which simulated a medium to large scale foot and mouth disease outbreak that had spread from England to Wales and Scotland and I am confident in our ability to manage any such occurrence.

“I am urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant for signs of the disease and remind them they have a legal requirement to immediately report any suspicion of disease in Scotland to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Field Services Office.”

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