Germany bans dairy exports over foot-and-mouth outbreak

 

UK – Governments in several countries have enforced bans on meat and dairy imports from Germany following the discovery of foot-and-mouth disease at a buffalo farm in Brandenburg. 

A report by Reuters has revealed that export bans on German dairy products have expanded following a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak at a buffalo farm in Brandenburg. 

In response to the outbreak, governments in the UK, South Korea, and Mexico have implemented bans on meat and dairy imports from Germany. 

The disease has triggered precautionary measures, including the slaughter of animals in surrounding areas and the closure of zoos. 

This outbreak comes as a significant setback to Germany’s already struggling livestock sector, which has been grappling with rising energy prices and various diseases.

According to the report, the number of livestock farms in Germany decreased by around 4% between 2020 and 2023, with 7,100 farms shutting down. The dairy cows population  in Brandenburg fell by nearly 40,000 between 2018 and 2023. 

The ongoing challenges, exacerbated by this FMD outbreak, have further strained the dairy industry in the region.

The UK, which currently imports over 30% of its pork from Germany, has expressed concern over the spread of the disease. 

Tom Bradshaw, president of the UK National Farmers Union, remarked that the confirmed outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany is a cause for great concern for livestock keepers across the European Union. 

He praised the swift reporting of the disease, emphasizing the importance of securing borders to prevent its spread.

Bradshaw also called on the UK government to implement a ban on personal imports of meat and dairy products unless accompanied by official veterinary documentation. 

He stressed the importance of reinforcing efforts to combat illegal meat imports, urging the government to ensure that agencies such as Border Force have adequate resources to tackle this issue effectively. 

With the uncertainty surrounding the origins of the disease and the potential impact on livestock, the swift and decisive actions are crucial in preventing further outbreaks.

The German dairy industry, already dealing with the long-term effects of disease and market pressures, faces significant challenges due to this latest development. 

The expansion of export bans on dairy products from Germany further complicates an already fragile market. 

The continued uncertainty surrounding the outbreak leaves the sector with more questions than answers, and it remains to be seen how the dairy industry will cope with the additional strain from the FMD outbreak.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE

Newer Post

Thumbnail for Germany bans dairy exports over foot-and-mouth outbreak

Ajinomoto Foods partners Standing Ovation Scale Up animal-free milk proteins

Older Post

Thumbnail for Germany bans dairy exports over foot-and-mouth outbreak

Edlong appoints Oscar Gutierrez as VP of International

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *