UK Prohibits Imports of German Meat and Dairy Following Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak
Following Germany's first foot-and-mouth case in four decades, the UK enforces trade restrictions.
The UK government has banned the import of certain meat and dairy products from Germany following the confirmation of a foot-and-mouth disease case near Berlin last week.
This measure is intended to prevent the disease from reaching the UK, where no cases have been detected.
German authorities have confirmed the outbreak, their first in almost forty years, involving a herd of water buffalo on Berlin's outskirts.
While foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious among livestock, it does not threaten human health or food safety.
The 2001 UK outbreak led to the culling of over six million animals and imposed significant financial burdens on British farmers.
Consequently, Germany is no longer considered free of the disease, leading to immediate trade restrictions.
The UK ban affects several German exports, including hams, bacon, salami, and other meat products, along with dairy.
As a major supplier of pig meat and dairy products to the UK, Germany’s trade ban is expected to disrupt the supply chain.
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Germany ranks as the third-largest pig meat exporter to the UK, holding an 18% market share, and the second-largest dairy exporter, with a 12% share.
In 2024, the UK imported over 117,000 metric tons of pig meat valued at £448 million and 130,000 tons of dairy worth £283 million from Germany.
These restrictions also impact other livestock products, such as hides and skins.
Germany’s agriculture ministry has acknowledged the challenges of exporting these products under the new conditions and warned of further trade difficulties due to the outbreak.
This measure is intended to prevent the disease from reaching the UK, where no cases have been detected.
German authorities have confirmed the outbreak, their first in almost forty years, involving a herd of water buffalo on Berlin's outskirts.
While foot-and-mouth disease is highly contagious among livestock, it does not threaten human health or food safety.
The 2001 UK outbreak led to the culling of over six million animals and imposed significant financial burdens on British farmers.
Consequently, Germany is no longer considered free of the disease, leading to immediate trade restrictions.
The UK ban affects several German exports, including hams, bacon, salami, and other meat products, along with dairy.
As a major supplier of pig meat and dairy products to the UK, Germany’s trade ban is expected to disrupt the supply chain.
According to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), Germany ranks as the third-largest pig meat exporter to the UK, holding an 18% market share, and the second-largest dairy exporter, with a 12% share.
In 2024, the UK imported over 117,000 metric tons of pig meat valued at £448 million and 130,000 tons of dairy worth £283 million from Germany.
These restrictions also impact other livestock products, such as hides and skins.
Germany’s agriculture ministry has acknowledged the challenges of exporting these products under the new conditions and warned of further trade difficulties due to the outbreak.
