Britain bans import of fresh bratwurst (and cattle and pigs) from Germany to stop foot and mouth outbreak

Britain has banned the import of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany to stop an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease.

The restriction also applies to products from these animals, such as fresh bratwurst.

GB health certificates will no longer be issued for animals susceptible to FMD including all live animals and fresh meat and animal products.

The ban is understood to apply to all products using meat either originating in Germany or butchered there, except where the product has been processed in such a way to remove the chance of disease transmission.

The import of fresh sausages, including bratwurst, using German meat is understood to be prohibited.

UK Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Christine Middlemiss said: “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.

“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.”

There are currently not believed to be any cases of Foot and Mouth in the UK but farmers are being urged to remain vigilant to the disease’s clinical signs.

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.

Britain was hit with a huge outbreak in 2001 which saw millions of animals slaughtered and the General Election delayed given the scale of the crisis.

Clinical signs of FMD in cattle 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 said: “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.”

Foot and Mouth Disease is a legally notifiable disease and must be reported.