Defra has introduced an import ban on susceptible products from Hungary, following confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease in a herd of cattle in the country.
The department is also urging importers to ensure any product from Hungary that does arrive is kept out of the supply chain.
Hungary has lost its FMD free status, after its chief veterinary officer confirmed FMD in a dairy herd in the Gyor area of Hungary, close to the Slovakia border. It is Hungary’s first case in 50 years and follows hot on the heels of an oubreak in Germany in January.
In a message to stakeholders and food businesses, Defra said it was in contact with Hungarian counterparts and was working closely with the devolved governments to prevent an incursion from imported goods. It confirmed that Great Britain (Northern Ireland is treated separately under post-Brexit rules) has suspended the import of susceptible live animals and products of animal origin (POAO).
Additionally, businesses are asked to suspend imports of impacted products from Hungary, whilst the Hungarian authorities investigate the outbreak.
“If you have consignments containing impacted fresh meat, meat products or dairy products arriving into Great Britain from today, it is likely that they will be called to the Border Control Post at the point of entry by the Port Health Authority/Local Authority to undergo checks,” Defra states.
You can find more information on the NPA’s website.
NFUS calls for robust border controls
NFU Scotland has reiterated calls for the government to ensure its border controls are robust, following news of the outbreak.
NFUS vice president Robert Neill said: “All Scottish livestock producers, whether they keep cattle, sheep or pigs, will be hugely concerned that there has been another confirmed case of FMD in mainland Europe and will look to the Government to double down on the nation’s border control measures.
“This is a highly contagious disease that has the potential to destroy herds and businesses – at the very worst wipeout the livestock sector completely. It is important to stress there is no danger to humans or food safety nor is this disease present anywhere in the UK but its presence in Europe will send a chill through the livestock industry here.
“We have not seen foot and mouth disease in Scotland since 2001 but those who lived through that period of time cannot forget the devastation and toll it took on farming communities. We do not wish to see that ever occurring again.”
He said NFUS was confident that the UK’s ‘robust’ livestock traceability systems and surveillance systems are effective. These systems were tested in full last week with the false FMD alert at Exeter Market, he pointed out
“We understand that Chief Veterinary Officers from across the UK are in discussions on protocols including tracings from any recent movements from Hungary and a ban on importing cattle, pork, sheep and products of animal origin from Hungary must follow,” he added.
“NFU Scotland has long called for tighter border security on all food imports, and we need these to be robust and enforced without fail. Illegal meat imports continue to flood into this country at an alarming rate. Only last week, in evidence to a Westminster committee, Dover Port Health Authority confirmed that 22 tonnes of illegal meat were seized at the port in January alone.
“We are asking our members to maintain strict on-farm biosecurity measures, comply with the swill feeding ban, report all suspicions of notifiable diseases promptly and ensure they get proper diagnosis of any livestock presenting symptoms. Being vigilant and quickly recognising clinical signs of the disease in livestock is vital to controlling and preventing it from spreading if, in the worst-case scenario, the disease was ever to breach our borders again.
“But Government must also play its part by building robust, reliable border controls that the nation’s farmers can trust to keep us disease-free.”