UK block Hungary meat and dairy imports after FMD case
© Tim Scrivener An import ban on livestock, meat, and dairy products originating from Hungary and Slovakia has been put in place by the government, following a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
FMD was confirmed in Hungary on 7 March on a dairy farm with 1,400 cattle, and immediate movement restrictions and control measures were introduced in the country.
There are no current cases of FMD in the UK, and it is hoped that the swift introduction of the import ban on animals and products from Hungary and Slovakia will help protect UK livestock and farm businesses.
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Livestock farmers have been urged by Defra to check for any clinical signs of the disease and ensure good biosecurity is maintained.
Dr Christine Middlemiss, the UK chief veterinary officer, said: “We remain in contact with our Hungarian counterparts to understand the latest situation following their confirmation of a single case of FMD disease. Measures are now being taken to contain and eradicate the outbreak.
“I would urge livestock keepers to exercise the utmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity, and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
A preliminary outbreak assessment by Defra stated that the risk of incursion of FMD to the UK had been maintained at “medium”.
It also confirmed that there had been no imports of live FMD susceptible animals (including sheep, goats, cattle and pigs) from Hungary or Slovakia in the past 30 days.
Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner said: “The government will do whatever it takes to protect our nation’s farmers from the risk posed by FMD.
“That is why restrictions have immediately been brought in on animal products from Hungary and Slovakia to prevent an outbreak.
“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 Hungarian and Slovakian authorities.”