\n Date published:
\n 7 March 2025<\/p>\n
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs\u00a0Minister\u00a0Andrew Muir\u00a0has reiterated his call for livestock owners in Northern Ireland to remain vigilant following\u00a0a second case of\u00a0Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Europe.<\/p>\n
Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs\u00a0Minister\u00a0Andrew Muir\u00a0has reiterated his call for livestock owners in Northern Ireland to remain vigilant following\u00a0a second case of\u00a0Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in Europe.<\/p>\n
The outbreak is\u00a0in a cattle herd located in\u00a0Hungary,\u00a0near the\u00a0border with Slovakia.<\/p>\n
Strict controls are in place restricting the importation of animals and animal products from FMD-affected\u00a0countries. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA)\u00a0is closely monitoring the situation and can confirm that there has been no movement of susceptible species into Northern Ireland\u00a0from\u00a0Hungary or Slovakia during the established risk window.<\/p>\n
FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting certain livestock and wildlife. It spreads rapidly through direct and indirect transmission, including airborne spread under favourable climatic conditions. The virus can also be transported\u00a0physically\u00a0via contaminated animals, persons, vehicles\u00a0and equipment.<\/p>\n
\nAgriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs\u00a0Minister Andrew Muir said:\u00a0
\u201cHaving a second case on the continent in Hungary should give us all a cause for concern. Foot and Mouth outbreak in Hungary is a clear reminder that we must continue to adhere to excellent biosecurity and responsible sourcing. We all have to play our part to keep this devastating disease out of our livestock and wildlife.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\nBrian Dooher, the Chief Veterinary Officer for Northern Ireland,\u00a0said:\u00a0
\u201cDAERA requests the support of all stakeholders\u00a0in staying\u00a0vigilant and promptly\u00a0reporting any unusual symptoms in livestock. These measures are essential to safeguarding our livestock and protecting the vital agricultural sector across Northern Ireland.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nHungarian authorities have implemented all necessary control measures, including disease control zones, and are undertaking depopulation of the affected premises.<\/p>\n
This is the second confirmed FMD outbreak in Europe in 2025, following a previous case in Germany. On 10 January 2025, Germany reported FMD in a small herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg, north of Berlin. That outbreak was successfully contained, with no further cases reported.<\/p>\n
FMD has serious consequences for animal health, trade\u00a0and industry. The 2001 FMD outbreak across the UK resulted in the culling of approximately 6.5million animals and had an estimated economic impact of \u00a38billion. This was the last time the disease was detected in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n
FMD is not a threat to public health. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) confirms that products of animal origin remain safe for consumption.<\/p>\n
Further updates will be provided\u00a0on the\u00a0DAERA\u00a0website<\/a> as the situation develops.<\/p>\n
Notes to editors:<\/p>\n
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