Canada and the USA lift foot-and-mouth disease restrictions and recognize Germany's FMD-free status
Both countries had imposed these restrictions following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at a farm in Brandenburg in January 2025. With the reopening of imports, fresh meat and meat products, processed foods, and dairy products such as cheese can now be exported again.
Federal Minister for Agriculture, Food and Community, Alois Rainer, explains : “The efforts and commitment in the fight against foot-and-mouth disease have paid off and are being recognized. Canada and the USA are now the next countries to lift their extensive import restrictions. With the reopening and development of important markets, we are gradually implementing a key element of our agricultural export strategy. This is good for our agricultural and food sectors, especially for our livestock farms. I am very pleased that the intensive veterinary negotiations, the high-level political discussions during my trip to the USA, and the close exchange with both countries have now led to a positive and beneficial outcome for all involved.”
In January 2025, the first case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Germany in over 35 years was detected in water buffalo in the Märkisch-Oderland district of Brandenburg. No further cases were reported in Germany. As confirmation of the rapid and successful containment and the control and monitoring measures implemented by the federal and state governments, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) reinstated the "FMD-free without vaccination" status for all of Germany in April 2025. Subsequently, several countries have already lifted their import restrictions.
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