FMD Case Sparks Calls for Action on Illegal Meat

Calls for Stronger Security Measures Following Foot-and-Mouth Outbreak

The UK government has been urged to deploy significantly stronger security measures to combat illegal meat imports following a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Hungary last week.

On 6th March, Hungary confirmed its first FMD outbreak in over 50 years, with the case found on a cattle farm near the border with Slovakia. This follows a reported case of the virus in a herd of water buffalo in Germany earlier this year, the first in the country since 1988.

In response, the UK government has prevented the commercial import of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, and their untreated products, such as meat and dairy, from Hungary and Slovakia. Additionally, travellers are no longer able to bring meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, certain composite products, animal by-products of pigs and ruminants, or hay or straw from these countries to Britain.

However, the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has called for even greater measures to combat illegal imports, citing significant risks to animal health and the UK’s biosecurity. FUW President Ian Rickman stressed the importance of vigilance and enhanced security measures to protect the agricultural sector and rural economy.

Original story: FarmingUK