Germany Regains Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Status
Germany controlled a rare foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, so it is now officially disease-free again, allowing exports to restart and trade to recover.
After months of concern over a rare outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Germany has successfully regained its status as an FMD-free country in most of its regions. This milestone, confirmed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food, marks a crucial step in restoring confidence in German livestock exports and stabilizing trade relations.
Background of the Outbreak
On January 10, 2025, Germany reported its first FMD case in nearly four decades, detected in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin in the Brandenburg region. Fortunately, swift containment measures ensured that the outbreak remained isolated, with no further cases reported since. While the exact source of the infection remains undetermined, German authorities acted promptly to mitigate the spread, lifting most domestic restrictions within weeks.
WOAH Recognition and Containment Zone
The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has now officially recognized Germany’s efforts, reinstating the country’s FMD-free status, effective March 12, 2025. This declaration applies to all of Germany except for a small containment zone surrounding the site of the initial outbreak. The containment zone remains under close observation to prevent any potential resurgence of the disease.
Implications for Trade and Exports
The reinstatement of FMD-free status is a game-changer for Germany’s meat and dairy industries, which faced severe export restrictions following the outbreak. Several countries, including the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Mexico, had imposed bans on German meat and dairy products, disrupting trade flows and impacting the agricultural sector.
However, with the WOAH’s confirmation, German Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir expressed optimism about the rapid normalization of trade relations. “The official confirmation of the WOAH is a decisive basis for our discussions with third countries and will benefit exports. I am confident that our trade relations for the affected agricultural products around the world will quickly normalize, and our companies will soon be able to supply their usual markets again,” Özdemir stated.
A Look at Foot-and-Mouth Disease and Its Impact
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. While the disease poses no risk to human health, it can cause significant economic damage due to trade restrictions and the costs associated with containment measures. In past outbreaks, mass culling of infected livestock has been a primary strategy to prevent further spread.
Looking Ahead
Germany’s successful containment of the FMD outbreak highlights the effectiveness of its veterinary and biosecurity measures. With most of the country now recognized as FMD-free, the government and industry stakeholders are focused on resuming international trade and ensuring that preventive strategies remain robust.
The next step will be working with trade partners to lift remaining restrictions, particularly in key export markets such as China, where some limitations have already been eased. The recognition by WOAH not only restores Germany’s credibility in global agriculture but also serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive disease management in the livestock sector.