The government of the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea has said it is bolstering animal health legislation in the wake of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Germany, which was detected two weeks ago.
While no case of the disease has been detected on the self-governing island (which is not a part of the UK), the government there has nonetheless moved to strengthen measures to prevent foot-and-mouth disease entering the island.
The Isle of Man Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture has moved to update legislation, aiming to “safeguard farmers, livestock and the island’s agricultural economy”.
The updated measures bring the Isle of Man in line with the UK, which has banned the commercial import of cattle, sheep, pigs, deer, buffalo, and the products of these animals (such as meat and dairy products).
Travelers are also prohibited from bringing meat, dairy, or animal products, even if commercially packaged.
In line with the UK, further measures have been introduced on the Isle of Man as of today (Tuesday, January 21), including restrictions on the import of untreated wool and hair from susceptible animals and animal casings (obtained from intestines) from countries outside the British Isles that are not recognized as FMD-free.
Although no cases of FMD have been reported in the British Isles this year, previous outbreaks of the disease in 2001 and 2007 led to millions of livestock animals being slaughtered, and cost the public and private sectors billions of pounds.
Farmers are urged to maintain strict biosecurity measures to protect their herds and monitor animals for clinical signs, such as blisters, lameness, or fever, the Isle of Man government said.
Dr. Amy Beckett, the island’s chief veterinary officer, said: “These robust measures are essential to protect the island’s important agriculture sector. Vigilance and adherence to biosecurity are vital to preventing the spread of this devastating disease.
“While FMD poses no risk to human health, it is highly contagious in cloven-hoofed animals, such as pigs, sheep and cattle, and can lead to significant economic losses,” Dr. Beckett added.
Foot-and-mouth vaccines
This development comes as the German state of Brandenburg, in which the outbreak was detected, confirmed it has activated its foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank.
Brandenburg has applied for the activation of this FMD vaccine bank in order to be prepared for all conceivable future scenarios, including outside Brandenburg.
The activation of the FMD vaccine bank serves to strengthen the ability to respond in the fight against the disease, the German authorities said.
