The risk level of foot and mouth disease in animals in Scotland has been increased to medium, following the discovery of the virus in water buffalo in Germany.
Imports of cattle, pigs and sheep from the country have also been banned as a preventative measure to protect livestock as well as farmers’ livelihoods and food security.
Scotland has not seen any cases of the disease since 2001, but has continued to remain vigilant for any potential outbreaks. A simulated outbreak in 2018 tested the government’s preparedness, with ministers confident the country will be able to successfully manage a real occurrence.
Although FMD (foot and mouth disease) does not pose a risk to human health, it is a highly contagious disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals. It can quickly affect entire herds or flocks due to it being easily spread through direct contact, with airborne transmission also possible.
The Scottish Government will continue to monitor the situation, and is working closely with German authorities and other UK administrations to take necessary actions to protect livestock.
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Scotland’s Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas said: “I appreciate the concern this latest development will be causing to the farming community and wider agricultural sector in Scotland.
“We have not seen foot and mouth disease in Scotland since 2001, and, alongside government restrictions, with strict on-farm biosecurity, compliance with the swill feeding ban, and the reporting of all suspicions of notifiable disease promptly – we can avoid a further outbreak.
“Quickly recognising clinical signs of the disease in livestock is vital to controlling and preventing it from spreading. In cattle and pigs the signs of disease are usually readily seen; however, sheep do not always show obvious clinical signs. I would urge sheep farmers to be particularly vigilant.”
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said: “We have robust contingency plans in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and our food security.
“The Scottish Government’s preparedness was tested in 2018 through Exercise Blackthorn which simulated a medium to large scale foot and mouth disease outbreak that had spread from England to Wales and Scotland and I am confident in our ability to manage any such occurrence.
“I am urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant for signs of the disease and remind them they have a legal requirement to immediately report any suspicion of disease in Scotland to the local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Field Services Office.”
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