The UK government has extended its foot-and-mouth ban to Austria, after a second outbreak in Hungary, very close to the Austrian border.
Due to the proximity of the new Hungarian case to the Austrian border, Defra announced it has suspended the commercial import from Austria of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, wild ruminants and porcines (including deer and wild boar), and their untreated products such as fresh meat and dairy.
The Government had already suspended the commercial import of these products from Slovakia and Hungary, following the first Hungarian outbreak in early March. Including Slovakia proved wise as four outbreaks have since been confirmed there, close to Hungary’s border.
Action is already underway with local authorities and traders to address possible risks from goods on the way to GB. Such goods must be pre-notified and wider border systems in place will prevent consignments entering GB.
In addition, travellers can no longer bring meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, certain composite products and animal by products of pigs and ruminants (including non-domestic species), or hay or straw, from Austria.
Defra announced earlier this week that it had recognised regionalisation in Germany, meaning imports can resume from the country, outside the ongoing FMD restricted area around the outbreak confirmed in January.
Vigilant
The UK Chief Veterinary Officer is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD following the recent outbreaks in Hungary, Slovakia and Germany.
Christine Middlemiss said: “Following the detection of a second foot and mouth disease case in Hungary, with a restriction area crossing the border into Austria, we have taken action to prevent the commercial import of potentially risky goods from Austria.
“I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said: “We will continue to protect our nation’s farmers from the risk posed by foot and mouth disease.
“This is why we have acted immediately to impose import restrictions on Austria, we will continue to keep the situation under review and will not hesitate to add additional countries to the list if the disease continues to spread further.”
What you can do
- If you’re an animal keeper, read about how to spot foot and mouth disease and report it.
- If you’re an importer or exporter, read about the import restrictions for foot and mouth disease.
- Clinical signs to be aware of vary depending on the animals, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed. In sheep and pigs, signs tend to manifest with lameness with potential for blistering.
- While horses and companion animals are not susceptible to FMD, hay feed or straw bedding, if sourced from an infected area, could act as a fomite and therefore also prevented from entering GB.
- Maintaining good biosecurity is essential to protecting the health and welfare of herds and critical to preventing the spread of diseases such as FMD and preventing an outbreak spreading.
Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 in England
- 0300 303 8268 in Wales
- your local Field Services Office in Scotland