Maul and claw disease: banned animal transport in Brandenburg extended!

Maul and claw disease: banned animal transport in Brandenburg extended!

The mouth and claw disease (MKS) currently ensures alarm mood in Brandenburg and Berlin. According to information from RBB24, the ban on animal transports in and from this region is extended by another 48 hours to Wednesday. This measure was taken after the carcass of a water buffalo was discovered in Oder-Spree. The ban had previously experienced a similar extension, and the responsible state office informed the authorities concerned about the current status. The protection and monitoring zones that have been set up to contain the plague remain still, while the EU Commission also confirmed it. Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir called this situation a "bright spot" because the blocked zone was not enlarged and the trade in products outside of this zone is still possible.

With the outbreak of the MKS in Brandenburg, Great Britain has also stopped importing certain endangered animals from Germany to prevent the spread of the disease, as the British government explained. Mexico and South Korea have already taken similar measures by introducing preliminary import bans for German pork. In Berlin, hundreds of tests are currently being carried out on animals to identify other cases, while the Brandenburg farmers' president Henrik Wendorff reports that the studies in the protection zone have been almost completed and no further infections have so far been found. In Märkisch-Oderland, numerous animals had to be killed to stabilize the situation.

rising precautions and possible consequences

The MKS is extremely infectious and can affect various animal species such as cattle, sheep and pigs, but the pathogen is harmless to humans. The possible economic consequences for cattle farmers are considerable and already cause pressure on the markets. Industry representatives warn that the companies, in order to contain the spread of the disease, not only have to rely on high hygiene regulations, but should also ask the EU to re -evaluate the situation with regard to domestic trade. So far there has been no plan for an emergency vaccination, since the spread of the plague is not assessed as so serious to justify this measure.

The situation remains tense, while the authorities try to prevent the virus from being spread even greater and at the same time not to burden agriculture in the region excessively. In the yield situation of agricultural companies with animal products that generate around five billion euros annually, the challenges that can arise from the temporary import stops are already pointed out.

This information was provided by rbb24 and daily newspaper.de, among others.

rbb24