Current Status of the FMD Outbreak
The first confirmed case of FMD in nearly 40 years was reported on January 10, 2025, at a farm in Hoppegarten, Brandenburg, located about 20 km east of Berlin. The outbreak involved three water buffaloes that tested positive for FMD and subsequently died. As a precaution, 11 additional buffaloes were culled, along with 170 pigs on a neighboring farm within a 1 km radius.
On January 15, goats on a hobby farm in the Barnim district, located 15 km from the outbreak site, were found with mouth blisters. These animals were culled, but further testing confirmed they were not infected with FMD.
Transport Ban Lifted
On January 17, Brandenburg's Minister of Agriculture Hanka Mittelstädt announced the lifting of transport restrictions for cloven-hoofed livestock across the state. The restrictions had been imposed on January 11 as a precautionary measure but were extended twice due to pending test results. Restrictions remain in place within the 3 km and 10 km protection and surveillance zones around the infected farm, where movement of animals and animal products is prohibited.
Regionalization as a Trade Strategy
Minister Özdemir emphasized the importance of extending the principle of regionalization to non-EU countries. This approach, already in effect within the EU, allows the sale of milk and meat products from unaffected regions of an affected country. Özdemir stated, “There is nothing preventing milk and meat products from being sold outside of the restricted zones.”
Impact on the Dairy Sector
The FMD outbreak could significantly affect Germany’s dairy exports, which play a vital role in the country’s agricultural economy. In 2024, Germany exported 1.22 million tons of cheese, with 86% going to EU markets, including Italy, the Netherlands, and France. Other key export products include skimmed milk powder, butter, and cream, with significant volumes supplied to third countries such as China, Egypt, and South Korea.
Financial Support for Affected Farmers
The German Rentenbank has introduced low-interest loans to support agricultural producers impacted by the outbreak. Farmers who can demonstrate at least a 30% decline in sales or profits due to FMD are eligible to apply for financial assistance through an open liquidity program.
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