UK introduces import controls to protect against PPR
“An outbreak in the UK would lead to animal suffering and be very damaging for our farming and livestock industry” – Ele Brown.
The government has introduced new import controls to protect Great Britain’s sheep and goat populations from peste des petits ruminants (PPR).
Unpackaged sheep and goat meat and meat products, and sheep and goat milk and milk products will not be allowed to be brought into Great Britain from the EU, European Free Trade Association states, Greenland and the Faroe Islands.
Commercially produced and packaged sheep and goat milk and milk products from Greece or Romania will also no longer be permitted to be brought in.
The restrictions come in response to an ongoing outbreak of PPR in Greece and Romania. The disease was first detected in the two countries in July.
As of 9 August, Greece has seen 47 outbreaks, totalling more than 2,000 cases, and Romania has reported 56 outbreaks, totalling over 5,000 cases. It is the first time the disease has been detected in the EU since 2018.
The UK had already suspended the import of live sheep and goats, germplasm, raw milk and raw milk products, and untreated hides, skins, wool and hair from sheep and goats from Greece and Romania in response to the threat posed by the virus.
Ele Brown, UK deputy chief veterinary officer, said: “There have been recent outbreaks of peste des petits ruminants in Europe. This poses no risks to humans but causes severe illness in sheep and goats. An outbreak in the UK would lead to animal suffering and be very damaging for our farming and livestock industry.
“Everyone can do their bit to help stop animal diseases spreading to this country by simply not bringing unpackaged meat, cheese and milk on to our shores.”
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With Strangles Awareness Week just around the corner (5-11 May), vets are being encouraged to share a survey about the disease with their horse-owning clients.
