Germany Regains Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Status with Restrictions Remaining in Brandenburg

The World Organisation for Animal Health restores Germany's disease-free status, excluding a containment zone, as export recovery efforts progress.

Germany's foot-and-mouth disease-free status has been reinstated by the World Organisation for Animal Health, except for a containment zone in Brandenburg.
The outbreak in January 2025, Germany's first in over 35 years, led to significant export restrictions by non-EU countries on meat and dairy products.
Agriculture Minister Cem Özdemir expressed optimism about restoring global trade relationships, emphasizing the importance of the updated status for negotiations with non-EU nations.
In Brandenburg's containment zone, disease-free status remains suspended, and control measures will continue until at least April 11, 2025.
The outbreak caused economic losses, including an estimated €8 million for Brandenburg farmers, and EU assistance has been requested to support affected producers.