On Jan. 10, German authorities recognized a case of foot-and-mouth disease on a buffalo farm in Brandenburg. The first case in Germany since 1988 (and in Europe since the Bulgarian case in 2011) of the viral disease, harmless to humans and widespread in Asia and Africa. The incident led Berlin to lose its FMD-free status, and forced it to take extraordinary measures to contain the contagion. This brings a tsunami on German exports of livestock products (and by-products).
First case of foot-and-mouth disease
So far, cattle have been slaughtered on the incriminated farm and one that bought hay from it. In addition, health authorities, as Euronews reports, have banned the transport of cattle and sheep and goats to Berlin and Brandenburg for 72 hours to prevent the spread of the disease. No new cases have emerged so far. But Cem Özdemir, Germany’s agriculture minister, urges caution before singing victory. While he is aware that there will be consequences on exports (worth 10 billion euros annually for the country) of products, such as meat and dairy products, as well as by-products, including raw hides. The first backlash has already occurred: the United Kingdom, among Germany’s major customers, has already banned imports of live animals and food products.
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