Published: 22nd January 2025
Following the confirmation of Foot and Mouth Disease in a herd of water buffalo in Germany on 10 January 2025, the UK government has taken immediate steps to prevent the spread of this highly contagious disease.
While Foot and Mouth Disease does not affect humans or pose a food safety risk, it can cause significant economic losses to the agricultural industry.
Imports of several commodities from Germany have been suspended. These include:
Live animals of susceptible species, including ruminants, pigs, and wild game, and their germplasm
Fresh meat from susceptible species
Meat products that have NOT undergone specific treatment to mitigate Foot and Mouth Disease risk
Milk, colostrum, and their products UNLESS treated as per Regulation 2010/605 Article 4
Animal by-products unless treated to effectively mitigate any Foot and Mouth risk
To help us assess the situation we need your urgent cooperation. Please provide us with the following information regarding any recent consignments you have received from Germany that may contain the restricted products:
Booking details, confirmation
CHED Reference Number, if available
Any commercial documentation relevant to the import
For meat and dairy products, provide the type of processing
When providing the type of processing, include evidence of the treatment(s) undertaken, to achieve the following.
Meat Products – As per Annex II, Part 4 of (EU) 2007/777- minimum, D1 Thorough cooking of meat, previously deboned and defatted, subjected to heating so that an internal temperature of 70 °C or greater is maintained for a minimum of 30 minutes, or treatments, D, C or B.
Dairy Products – As per Article 4 of (EU) 2010/605 - e.g.,
a sterilisation process, to achieve an F0 value equal to or greater than three; or
an ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment at not less than 135 °C in combination with a suitable holding time.
Please ensure this information is provided on creation of the load and prior to the haulage.
Your prompt action in providing this information is crucial in our collective efforts to prevent the spread of FMD and protect the UK's agricultural industry.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as they become available. For more detailed information and frequently asked questions, please refer to the relevant resources on GOV.UK.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation during this challenging time.
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