As of January 14, 2025, the United Kingdom has implemented a ban on the import of cattle, pigs, and sheep from Germany following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) detected in Brandenburg.

The outbreak has raised significant concerns among farmers and industry stakeholders, particularly regarding potential price declines in the meat market.

Farmers are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases immediately, as FMD poses no risk to human health but is highly contagious among livestock.

In response to the outbreak, local officials are hopeful that the situation can be contained before it escalates, while a team of veterinarians is investigating the infection's transmission route.

The recent detection of the virus was not entirely unexpected, given the ongoing risk of reintroduction from regions where FMD is endemic.

Authorities are prioritizing testing all cloven-hoofed animals in the vicinity to assess the outbreak's spread and determine if a vaccine will be deployed.

Dr. Christine Middlemiss emphasized the importance of biosecurity and the need for farmers to report any disease suspicions to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.

While farmers receive compensation for culled animals, indirect losses from price drops are not covered, complicating their financial forecasting.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES) are implementing measures to curb further virus transmission.

Farmers face increased uncertainty regarding the duration of the import ban, complicating their planning and financial forecasting.

The dairy export from the district is at risk, as a significant portion of milk produced is sent to Italy, and farmers are particularly worried about the implications for milk exports.

The full extent of the economic damage remains uncertain, but the milk sector is expected to be the hardest hit, followed by the pork sector.