UK bans import of German cattle, pigs and sheep to prevent foot and mouth disease spreading
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Importing cattle, pigs and sheep into Great Britain from Germany has been banned to prevent the spread of foot and mouth disease. The ban is in response to a case of the disease being confirmed in a herd of water buffalo in Honow on the outskirts of Berlin on Friday.
It is Germany's first outbreak of foot and mouth in 36 years and has seen the precautionary slaughter of 55 goats, sheep and cattle on a farm in Brandenburg state that had purchased hay from the buffalo farm. Politics latest: Chancellor to give statement during market turmoil.
Several animal parks, including Berlin Zoo and Tierpark, the German capital's other zoo, have closed as a precaution. The UK government said that as well as the import of live cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany being banned, products from those animals would also not be allowed into the UK.
That includes fresh meat, milk and other animal products. Environment Secretary Steve Reed apologises to farmers for tax 'shock'. Could this be the future of farming? Inside Europe's biggest vertical farm. In a time of change Sky News spent a critical year on a farm.
GB health certificates will no longer be issued for animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease, or for their products. The viral disease poses no risk to human or food safety but is highly contagious in cloven-hoofed animals such as cows, sheep and pigs.
