UK lifts restrictions on German meat imports
The UK has eased import bans on German meat and dairy products after foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) containment measures were recognized. The restrictions remain in place for personal imports and specific products from affected regions.
UK – The United Kingdom has lifted restrictions on German meat and dairy imports, which had been in place since January following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced the changes on March 24, stating that meat and dairy products from Germany, except those from a designated containment zone, can now enter the UK.
The decision follows the World Organisation for Animal Health’s (WOAH) reinstatement of Germany’s FMD-free status for most of the country on March 12.
Germany’s Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) applied for the containment zone’s approval, which WOAH granted, ensuring that restrictions remain only in the affected region.
According to the ministry, the suspension of FMD-free status for the containment zone will remain effective until at least April 11, 2025.
China and Malaysia had already resumed imports of German milk and dairy products earlier in March, but Ireland and South Korea have yet to announce any policy changes.
Defra stated that its decision followed a thorough assessment of Germany’s control measures and the latest developments in the outbreak.
The UK has officially acknowledged regional restrictions on FMD in Germany, limiting restrictions to a 6km radius around the outbreak area.
As a result, meat and dairy exports from areas outside this containment zone can resume, provided they meet other import requirements.
Despite the revised policy, personal imports of packaged and unpackaged meat, dairy products, and certain animal byproducts from Germany remain restricted.
FMD outbreaks in Hungary and Slovakia
While the UK has eased restrictions on German imports, it has imposed bans on meat and dairy from Hungary and Slovakia due to recent FMD cases in those countries.
The disease was detected in Hungary on March 7 and in Slovakia on March 21, prompting the UK to halt the import of fresh, chilled, and frozen pork from both nations.
Additionally, restrictions apply to dairy products, live animals, and wild game from Hungary and Slovakia.
Ireland has also maintained its ban on German meat imports while expanding restrictions to include Hungary and Slovakia.
Slovakian authorities have reported three FMD outbreaks in cattle within 20km of the initial Hungarian detection.
Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine confirmed that no FMD-susceptible animals, such as cattle, pigs, or sheep, have been imported into the country since January 1.
It stated that Ireland’s FMD control measures include strict import prohibitions, veterinary surveillance, and investigations into any suspected cases.
Germany’s Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir said WOAH’s confirmation of the country’s FMD-free status outside the containment zone should support trade discussions with other countries.
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