Northern Ireland has imposed restrictions on animal imports from a region in Germany following the detection of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir has assured the public that robust contingency plans are in place to mitigate the risk and protect farmers and food security.
Northern Ireland has implemented restrictions on animal imports from a region in Germany following the detection of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). Agriculture Minister Andrew Muir disclosed this information following an Executive meeting on Thursday. The outbreak, which emerged in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg, north of Berlin, has raised significant concern among Northern Ireland farmers. FMD is a highly contagious and severe viral disease that can afflict cattle, sheep, and pigs.
Muir emphasized the severity of the situation, stating that the FMD emergence in Germany poses a substantial threat not only to livestock owners in Northern Ireland but also to the entire agricultural sector across the UK, Ireland, and the EU. He reassured the public that his department has comprehensive contingency plans in place to mitigate the risk of FMD and safeguard farmers and food security. Muir acknowledged the steps taken by German authorities to contain the disease, including culling and safe disposal of susceptible animals and establishing disease control zones. While no further cases have been reported to date, Muir stated that strict import controls are in place to prevent the movement of animals and animal products from FMD-affected areas. Consequently, all susceptible species and their products from affected regions in Germany are prohibited from entering Northern Ireland. Muir highlighted his ongoing communication with his Irish counterpart, Charlie McConalogue, to ensure a coordinated approach across the island of Ireland. He also plans to meet with the incoming agriculture minister in the coming days and with the Secretary of State for NI and Baroness Hayman, to collaborate on a UK-wide response to the FMD outbreak. The Chief Veterinary Officer, Brian Dooher, is actively maintaining close contact with counterparts across the islands to monitor the situation closely.Dooher stressed the potentially devastating consequences of FMD for the farming community and emphasized the crucial role of responsible sourcing and stringent biosecurity measures in preventing its entry into Northern Ireland. He urged livestock keepers to remain vigilant, adhere to high biosecurity standards, and promptly report any unusual symptoms to a veterinarian or DAERA. The DAERA website provides comprehensive information on clinical signs and steps livestock keepers can take to protect their animals.On Wednesday, DUP MP Carla Lockhart raised concerns regarding the UK Government's ban on pig, sheep, and cattle imports from Germany, which, according to her, did not extend to Northern Ireland. She pointed out that Northern Ireland, through the Windsor Framework, remains aligned with the EU in several areas, including animal and plant health regulations.
FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE NORTHERN IRELAND ANIMAL IMPORTS GERMANY AGRICULTURE CONTINGENCY PLANS BIOSECURITY FARMERS FOOD SECURITY UK GOVERNMENT EU REGULATIONS
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