The movement of calves for the veal sector within the Netherlands has been banned, except where the calves are moved to slaughter, following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Germany.
The Dutch agriculture ministry confirmed that, since December 1, over 3,600 calves originating in the German state of Brandenburg – where the outbreak, among water buffalo, was detected – had been imported into the Netherlands via collection centres elsewhere in Germany.
The Dutch ministry has announced a nationwide ban on the movement of veal calves and a ban on farm visitors, except necessary personnel such as vets.
There is currently no reason or suspicion that there is an infection in the Netherlands, the ministry said.
Netherlands
These approximately 3,600 calves are now located at more than 125 veal farms spread across the Netherlands. The Dutch authorities are investigating whether these farms have been infected with foot-and-mouth disease.
Movement to slaughter of these calves, and farm visits by necessary personnel, must all comply with strict hygiene protocols.
The ministry said these bans will last several days at least.
Other sectors have been asked to report if animals or animal products have recently been imported directly or indirectly from Brandenburg to the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, back in Germany, the authorities have said that a supply of vaccines are available for the serotype of foot-and-mouth disease responsible for this outbreak.
The Friedrich Loeffler Institute, (FLI) the leading animal disease research centre in Germany, has confirmed that virus serotype O was detected, although how it entered the herd of water buffalo remains unclear.
Suitable vaccines against this serotype are available in the German FMD antigen bank. This FMD antigen bank was established specifically for cases such as the current outbreak.
Once activated by the relevant state, the FMD antigen bank can produce the necessary vaccines within a few days, the FLI said.
Testing of all susceptible animals will be needed to determine the actual spread of the outbreak and whether or not the relevant vaccine will be rolled out.
