European imports ban over foot-and-mouth

The Isle of Man's government has restricted animal imports from Hungary and Slovakia following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.

The disease was discovered on a farm near the Hungarian border with Slovakia, so a ban on cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats from both countries has been introduced.

The measures implemented by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) brings the island in line with the UK to prevent the spread of the virus.

Chief Vet Amy Beckett said the "enhanced restrictions" were "a crucial step in protecting our agricultural industry".

The ban extends to other non-domestic animals, including deer, and untreated products like fresh meat and dairy.

It means people travelling to the Isle of Man from the affected countries will also no longer be allowed to bring meat, dairy, animal products, hay, or straw in "to protect farmers and their livestock", a spokesman said.

While it rarely affects humans, foot-and-mouth is highly contagious in pigs, sheep and cattle, as well as other cloven-hoofed animals.

Dr Beckett urged livestock keepers "to exercise the utmost vigilance for signs of disease".

She also called on them to follow strict biosecurity measures and "report any suspicions to DEFA immediately".

While there have been no known cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the British Isles recently, major outbreaks in 2001 and 2007 led to the slaughter of millions of livestock.

The ban follows similar restrictions on the importation of animals from Germany following confirmed cases in January.

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