German authorities confirmed an outbreak of foot and mouth in water buffalo in a small herd close in Honow, near the Berlin border, last Friday (10 January 2025).
Now Great Britain has stepped up measures to prevent the spread of the disease, confirming a ban on cattle, pigs and sheep. During this time, GB health certificates will not be issued for animals vulnerable to food and mouth disease, including all live animals and fresh meat.
Whilst there have been no cases in the UK, the UK chief veterinary officer is urging livestock to remain vigilant and keep their eyes out for any signs.
Food and mouth disease poses no risk to human or food safety, but is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals. It can therefore have a significant impact on economic losses due to production or trade access losses.
The government has reminded keepers to be ‘rigorous’ when it comes to their biosecurity, which is essential in preventing the spread of such diseases.
“We remain in constant contact with German counterparts to understand the latest situation following their confirmation of a single case of Foot and Mouth disease,” said UK chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss.
“We have robust contingency plans in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security, which means using all measures to limit the risk incursion and spread of this devastating disease.
“I would urge 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.”
Clinical signs to be aware of vary depending on the animals, but in cattle the key 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.
Farming minister Daniel Zeichner added: “The Government will do whatever it takes to protect our nation’s farmers from the risk posed by Foot and Mouth.
“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.”
In 2001, the UK took a big hit with more than 2,000 cases of foot and mouth disease sweep across the country. In order to prevent the spread of the disease, more than 6m cows and sheep were culled, with an the outbreak costing the UK an estimated £8bn.
Another outbreak occurred six years later and while this was a much more contained incident, it prompted the Government to commission a formal review, conducted by Sir Iain Anderson.
More recently, the UK Government has announced a £200m investment into the nation’s main research and laboratory testing facilities, located at Weybridge, to improve protection against animal disease.
Further details around symptoms for foot and mouth disease can be found here.
If you suspect disease in your animals, you are legally obliged to notify officials. Failure to do so is an offence.
The number to report a suspect case is: 3000 200 301 in England and 0300 303 826 in Wales. Keepers in Scotland should contact their local Field Services Office.
