The first case of the deadly disease in Germany for 36 years was found in a water buffalo herd outside Berlin on Friday.
Britain has banned imports of German pork, lamb, beef and dairy products to prevent foot-and-mouth disease spreading to the UK after a case of the disease was confirmed last Friday on the outskirts of Berlin.
As well as prohibiting imports of ham, bacon, salami and cheese, the measure bans the import of live cattle, sheep and pigs, along with other animals which are susceptible to foot-and-mouth. No health certificates will be issued by Britain for fresh meat from Germany.
Germany is the third-largest exporter of pork to the UK, and has an 18% market share, while it is also the second-largest exporter to the UK of dairy products including cheese, yoghurt and buttermilk.
The government said there were currently no cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the UK, and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the measures would help to prevent it spreading to Britain, protecting farmers and their livelihoods.
Foot-and-mouth disease does not pose any risk to human or food safety, but is a highly contagious viral disease which affects cattle, sheep, pigs and other animals with cloven hooves.
A particularly severe outbreak of foot-and-mouth in Britain in 2001 saw 2,000 cases of the disease officially recorded and led to the slaughter of more than 6 million sheep, cattle and pigs, wrecking the finances of many farmers.
A case of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany was confirmed in a herd of water buffalo in Brandenburg, outside of Berlin, on 10 January, according to the country’s food and agriculture ministry. It added that exclusion zones had been established in the affected area, banning the transport of animals or animal products.
Hundreds of animals in Berlin are currently being tested for the disease, according to German media reports.
The outbreak means that Germany can not be classed as free of foot-and-mouth disease and the UK’s import ban is likely to be the first of several trade restrictions. It is the first case of the disease in the EU for several years.
The UK’s chief veterinary officer is calling on farmers and livestock keepers to remain vigilant for any signs of the disease in their animals and to maintain good biosecurity.
It warned farmers to be aware that clinical signs vary depending on the animals.
In cattle, the key signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed.
Sheep and pigs tend to show signs of lameness with potential blistering.
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