The UK has introduced a ban on pigs, sheep and cattle imports from Germany after a case of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed in the country.
The government said on Tuesday it will no longer approve health certificates for animals, fresh meat and animal products susceptible to the disease to prevent its spread to the UK where there are currently no confirmed cases.
While there is no risk to humans or food safety, foot-and-mouth is highly contagious in pigs, sheep and cattle, as well as other cloven-hoofed animals.
In 2001 and 2007, the UK suffered major outbreaks of the disease, leading to millions of livestock animals being slaughtered across the country.
Farming minister Daniel Zeichner said the government will do “whatever it takes to protect our nation’s farmers from the risk posed by foot-and-mouth”.
He added: “That is why restrictions have immediately been brought in on animal products from Germany to prevent an outbreak, and we will not hesitate to add additional countries to the list if the disease spreads.
“We will continue to keep the situation under review, working closely with the German authorities.”
Foot-and-mouth disease is a legally notifiable disease, meaning it is an offence not to report a case to the government.
As well as culling animals, farmers affected by the disease could see reduced milk production, as well as wider economic implications such as the loss of access to foreign markets for animals and their subsequent products.
Major outbreaks in 2001 and 2007 cost the public and private sectors billions.
For cattle, symptoms of the disease include blisters and sores on their feet, mouth and tongue, as well as lameness, fever and reluctance to feed.
In sheep and pigs, symptoms typically present as lameness and blisters.
UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss has asked “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”.
The government recently announced a £200m investment in the UK’s main research and laboratory testing facilities at Weybridge to bolster protection against animal disease.
