Germany Regains Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Status

Germany has regained its status as free of foot-and-mouth disease in most areas, paving the way for the lifting of export restrictions on meat and dairy products, according to the country’s agriculture ministry. The announcement follows Germany’s first outbreak of the disease in nearly 40 years, which was confirmed on January 10 in a herd of water buffalo near Berlin in the Brandenburg region.

The outbreak has remained limited to a single case, with no further reports since. While the source of the infection is still unknown, most domestic restrictions have already been lifted. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) has accepted Germany’s application to be declared free of foot-and-mouth disease in most regions. As of March 12, all of Germany, except for a small containment zone around the original case, has been declared foot-and-mouth-free.

This development is expected to enable the lifting of export restrictions on German meat and dairy products, benefiting the country’s agricultural exports.

Lab-Grown Meat, Dairy, and Sugar Could Be Available in the UK Within Two Years

Lab-grown meat, dairy, and sugar could be on sale in the UK for human consumption within two years, according to the Food Standards Agency (FSA). The FSA is exploring ways to expedite the approval process for these innovative products, which are grown from cells in small chemical plants.

UK firms have been at the forefront of developing lab-grown foods but have faced challenges due to current regulations. Last month, dog food made from cultivated meat went on sale in the UK for the first time.

Singapore was the first country to authorise the sale of cell-cultivated meat for human consumption in 2020, followed by the United States in 2023 and Israel in 2024. However, Italy and the US states of Alabama and Florida have instituted bans on such products.

The FSA aims to develop new regulations by collaborating with experts from high-tech food firms and academic researchers. The agency plans to complete the full safety assessment of two lab-grown foods within the next two years. Critics, however, argue that involving firms in the regulatory process represents a conflict of interest.

The initiative responds to concerns from UK firms that they are losing ground to overseas competitors, where approval processes are faster. Prof Robin May, the FSA’s chief scientist, assured that consumer safety would not be compromised. “We are working very closely with the companies involved and academic groups to design a regulatory structure that ensures the safety of these products remains as high as it possibly can,” he said.

Pat Thomas, director of the campaign group Beyond GM, expressed scepticism about this approach, stating, “The companies involved in helping the FSA to draw up these regulations are the ones most likely to benefit from deregulation, and if this were any other type of food product, we would be outraged by it.”

The British Pie Awards 2025 have once again celebrated the finest pies from across the UK, showcasing the incredible talent and creativity of pie makers. Held in Melton Mowbray, the pork-pie capital of Britain, this year’s awards saw nearly 1,000 entries competing for the coveted Supreme Champion trophy.

The highlight of the event was the crowning of the Supreme Champion, the ‘Pie of Pies’, which was awarded to the Kebab Pie by Boghall Butchers of Bathgate, West Lothian, Scotland[1]. This unique fusion pie, dreamed up by second-generation butcher Paul Boyle and his daughter Mariesha, combines traditional pie casing with kebab meat filling, creating a delightful blend of flavours[2].

Other notable winners included:

• Small Producer Award: Tom de Terre from Manchester[1].
• Newcomer Award: Mariage Frères from London[1].
• Young Piemaker: Cairn Robbie from WEECOOK in Arbroath[1].

The awards also featured various classes, each celebrating different types of pies. For instance, the Melton Mowbray Pork Pie class saw Dickinson & Morris take home the gold for their Hand Crafted Melton Mowbray Pork Pie[1]. Other winners in this class included Waitrose, Morrisons, and M&S Collections, all recognized for their exceptional pork pies[1].

The British Pie Awards not only highlight the best pies but also promote the rich heritage and diversity of British pie-making. From traditional savoury pies to innovative vegan creations, the awards provide a platform for pie makers to showcase their skills and passion.

For more information and a complete list of winners, visit the official British Pie Awards website[1].

[1]: British Pie Awards [2]

Brazilian Agricultural Exporters to Benefit from U.S.-China Trade War

SAO PAULO, March 6 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump’s ongoing trade war with China is expected to provide Brazilian agricultural exporters with an opportunity to capture a larger share of the Chinese market, potentially at the expense of American farmers. However, this shift could also exacerbate already high food inflation in Brazil.

In response to new U.S. duties announced by Trump, China swiftly imposed tariffs of 10% and 15% on $21 billion worth of American agricultural goods, including meat and soybeans. Brazil, as the world’s largest exporter of soy, cotton, beef, and chicken meat, is poised to increase its exports to China as importers seek tariff-free alternatives.

During Trump’s first term, the trade war led to U.S. farmers losing significant market share to Brazil, particularly for China’s valuable soybean imports. The U.S. has not regained that market share, and China’s reliance on Brazilian agricultural imports has continued to grow. This trend is likely to accelerate with the latest round of tariffs.

While this presents a significant opportunity for Brazilian exporters, it also raises concerns about domestic food inflation. Increased demand from China could drive up prices for Brazilian consumers, adding pressure to an already strained economy.

Original story: Reuters

Britain Bans Animal Imports from Hungary and Slovakia to Prevent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread

Britain has banned imports of cattle, pigs, and other animal products from Hungary and Slovakia following a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease in Hungary. The government announced the ban in a statement on Friday, aiming to prevent the spread of the disease.

As of 8th March, travellers will not be allowed to bring meat, meat products, milk, dairy products, and animal by-products of pigs and ruminants from the two countries. Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner stated, “We will not hesitate to add additional countries to the list if the disease spreads,” emphasising that the situation will be continuously reviewed and closely monitored with authorities.

Currently, there are no cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Britain. While the disease poses no danger to humans, it causes fever and mouth blisters in cloven-hoofed ruminants such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats, often leading to trade restrictions.

Original story: Reuters

Trump Suspends Tariffs on Canada and Mexico

WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump suspended the 25% tariffs he imposed earlier this week on most goods from Canada and Mexico. This latest move in his fluctuating trade policy has caused market volatility and raised concerns about inflation and economic growth.

The exemptions for Canada and Mexico, the two largest U.S. trading partners, will expire on April 2. Trump has threatened to impose reciprocal tariffs on all U.S. trading partners globally after this date. Initially, Trump mentioned an exemption only for Mexico, but later extended it to Canada as well. The three countries are part of the North American trade pact.

In response, Canada will delay a planned second wave of retaliatory tariffs on CAD 125 billion (USD 87.4 billion) worth of U.S. products until April 2, according to Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc.

The amended White House order also excludes duties on potash, a critical fertilizer for U.S. farmers, but does not fully cover energy products, which are subject to a separate 10% levy.

Original story: Reuters