Restrictions brought in after foot and mouth outbreak in Germany

Friday 24 January 2025

A foot and mouth outbreak in Germany has sparked measures to protect local livestock.

Imports from Germany of fresh meats from pigs, sheep, cattle and goats as well as products like sausages, hams and cured meats have been banned, as has the import of milk and diary products.

While there are also restrictions on what can be brought into the island from people returning from other parts of Europe, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands and Greenland.

Meat from these locations will need to be packaged to EU commercial standards and weigh no more than 2kg per person as well as having an identification mark to show this.

These restrictions do not apply to infant milk, medical foods and certain low risk composite products (including some chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits, pasta and food supplements).

David Chamberlain, States Veterinary Officer, said: "FMD poses no risk to human or food safety, but is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals.

"We urge islanders not to bring prohibited animal products to the Bailiwick from the EU to avoid introducing this virus to our local herds, which could have a devastating impact on animal health and welfare."

If any prohibited products are imported they will be placed in the secure bins provided at the harbour and airport.

Home Affairs signed the import control order earlier this week.

Germany announced the country's first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in nearly 40 years on 10 Jan in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin in the Brandenburg region.

That remains an isolated case, with no others reported since.

Some emergency measures to restrict the disease were lifted on Friday but quarantine zones remain in force.