Foot-and-mouth disease: Import ban extends to Austria
2nd April 2025
The UK government has extended the meat import ban to Austria, following a second foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Hungary, very close to the Austrian border.
Due to the proximity of the new Hungarian case to the Austrian border, the decision has been made to suspend the commercial import from Austria of cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, wild ruminants and porcines (including deer and wild boar) and their untreated products such as fresh meat and dairy, Defra confirmed.
Commercial import of these products from Slovakia and Hungary has already been suspended, following the first Hungarian outbreak in early March.
Since then, the Slovakian authorities have confirmed five outbreaks.
Defra said action is already underway with local authorities and traders to address possible risks from goods on the way to GB. Such goods must be pre-notified, and wider border systems in place will prevent consignments entering GB.
In addition, travellers can no longer bring meat, meat products, milk and dairy products, certain composite products and animal by-products of pigs and ruminants (including non-domestic species), or hay or straw from Austria.
Defra announced earlier this week that it had recognised regionalisation in Germany, meaning imports can resume from the country, outside the ongoing FMD restricted area around the outbreak confirmed in January.
READ MORE: UK introduces import ban of cattle, pigs, sheep and deer from Hungary and Slovakia
Remain vigilant
The UK chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD.
She said: “Following the detection of a second foot-and-mouth disease case in Hungary, with a restriction area crossing the border into Austria, we have taken action to prevent the commercial import of potentially risky goods from Austria.
“I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”
READ MORE: Foot and mouth disease outbreak confirmed in Germany
READ MORE: Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak: UK bans livestock imports from Germany
What you can do
If you are an animal keeper, read about how to spot foot and mouth disease and report it.
If you are an importer or exporter, read about the import restrictions for foot and mouth disease.
Clinical signs to be aware of vary depending on the animals, but in cattle the main signs are sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed. In sheep and pigs, signs tend to manifest with lameness with the potential for blistering.
While horses and companion animals are not susceptible to FMD, hay feed or straw bedding, if sourced from an infected area, could act as a fomite and is therefore also prevented from entering GB.
Maintaining good biosecurity is essential to protecting the health and welfare of herds and critical to preventing the spread of diseases such as FMD and preventing an outbreak from spreading.
Foot and mouth disease is a notifiable disease and must be reported. If you suspect foot and mouth disease in your animals, you must report it immediately by calling:
- 03000 200 301 in England
- 0300 303 8268 in Wales
- your local Field Services Office in Scotland.
Find more information here.
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