Concern is mounting in some political spheres about the lack of a ban on the import of livestock from Germany to Northern Ireland, after Germany confirmed a positive incidence of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
Yesterday (Tuesday, January 14), the UK Government announced a ban on the import of cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany “to protect farmers and their livelihoods”.
FMD is a legally notifiable disease and must be reported in the UK and Ireland. The UK government has specified that GB health certificates will no longer be issued for animals susceptible to FMD – including all live animals and fresh meat.
However it has been revealed that the decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to ban imports of German livestock does not apply in Northern Ireland.
No import ban for NI
DUP MP Carla Lockhart said the information was confirmed to her by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs of Northern Ireland (DAERA) and has accused the government of double standards.
The Upper Bann MP said she was extremely concerned at what she described as the government’s “latest betrayal”.
“Following confirmation of a single outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in a herd of water buffalo in Germany, I was impressed that Defra officials moved swiftly to protect the UK’s livestock industry against the threat of this devastating viral disease.
“However, it soon became apparent that the ban on livestock, fresh meat and animal products originating from Germany only applies in mainland GB.
“Germany has lost its FMD-free status, meaning export health certificates can no longer be issued for movements outside the EU.
“I was very alarmed, but not surprised, to learn that under EU internal market arrangements the export ban does not affect movements to other EU member states, which unfortunately includes Northern Ireland,” she added.
Therefore, she said that trade is still possible under the principle of ‘regionalisation’, with areas of Germany that are free from foot-and-mouth disease.
Lockhart added: “Just a matter of weeks ago the EU (Withdrawal Arrangements) Bill was debated in the House of Commons, aiming to restore and re-affirm Northern Ireland’s placed in the United Kingdom.
“For almost four years we have been cut-off from the rest of the United Kingdom, thanks to an EU-enforced de-facto border in the Irish Sea.
“The EU Parliament in Brussels is a foreign jurisdiction which legislates on over 300 areas of law impacting our economy and agri-food sector. These nonsensical EU rules are causing unresolved issues on the movement animals, plants and goods on a daily basis,” she added.
Foot-and-mouth disease
The MP said that it has been almost 24 years (February 2001) since FMD caused a major crisis with over 2,000 confirmed cases in the UK, resulting in the destruction of over six million farm animals.
Lockhart, who is the DUP spokesperson for agriculture, environment and rural affairs at Westminster, said that the disease brought the country to a standstill, halting exports, closing livestock marts and stopping sporting and community events.
Since the recent emergence of FMD in Germany, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir has urged livestock owners to remain vigilant in the coming days and weeks.
Lockhart added: “DAERA confirmed that there has been no movement of susceptible species into Northern Ireland from Germany since December 1, 2024, while it is also reassuring to know that the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine (DAFM) has confirmed that no animal movements from Germany have taken place in more than two months.
“Foot-and-mouth disease is endemic in several parts of Asia and in most of Africa and the Middle East. I am urging the public, especially those travelling to Northern Ireland and ROI from these countries, to refrain from illegally importing contaminated food products.
“FMD is not a threat to public health, but anyone who has had contact with livestock in FMD-affected countries is required to report to airport Department of Agriculture officials on arrival to undergo the necessary biosecurity precautions.”
The MP outlined that Northern Ireland still remains under threat from Bluetongue and that everyone must do what they can to protect Northern Ireland’s livestock industry.
“I am asking livestock farmers to consider the risks before importing animals from mainland Europe. I am also appealing to those involved in the illegal importation of livestock to stop and reconsider their actions,” she concluded>
