Government Takes Swift Action to Protect Livestock Industry
The UK government has introduced strict import restrictions following a confirmed case of foot and mouth disease in Hungary on 5 March 2025. The move aims to prevent the highly contagious virus from reaching British livestock, potentially causing widespread economic and agricultural damage.
New Import Restrictions
From 8 March 2025, the UK has banned imports of:
Live ruminants and porcines – including cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, and deer.
Untreated animal products – such as fresh meat and unpasteurised dairy.
Hay and straw, which could carry traces of the virus.
The ban applies to Hungary and Slovakia, with the latter included due to shared trade links and geographical proximity. These measures follow similar restrictions on Germany in January 2025, after an outbreak in Brandenburg.
The Outbreak in Hungary
The Hungarian case was detected on a small farm near the Slovakian border after farmers noticed unusual symptoms in their cattle, including:
- Excessive salivation
- Lameness and blisters around the mouth and hooves
Laboratory tests confirmed foot and mouth disease, prompting Hungarian authorities to:
Cull the affected herd
Establish a 10-kilometre exclusion zone
For further updates, visit the UK government website or check agricultural news sources for the latest developments.
