Helene Hayman, the U.K.’s biosecurity minister, emphasized the importance of compliance, saying: “We are asking the public to take this seriously. Do not bring prohibited animal or plant products into the country — doing so puts farmers’ livelihoods at risk.”
U.K. Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss stated: “I know it is disappointing not to be able to bring back produce from your holidays, but please avoid temptation — you will be doing your bit to help protect our hard-working farmers.”
The highly infectious disease, impacting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, goats, pigs, and sheep, was reported in Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia from January to April this year but was contained by authorities. Any indication of the virus within the EU must be reported to the authorities.
Imported animal products can transmit the virus, as it can exist in meat, dairy, and even processed food. The virus can also survive in areas such as soil, water, hay, or human clothing. Although not generally dangerous to humans, the disease can severely affect herds of cattle.
While vaccines are available, preventive vaccinations are not permitted by the EU due to the difficulty in distinguishing between infected and vaccinated animals. Typically, infected animals are culled.
In 2001, a significant outbreak in the U.K. resulted in the slaughter of 6 million cows and sheep, with an economic impact estimated at £8 billion.
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