Senasa adopted preventive measures after Germany reported a sanitary alert to the World Organisation for Animal Health regarding an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
The National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (Senasa) has ordered the suspension of imports of goods capable of carrying the foot-and-mouth disease virus from Germany and instructed the reinforcement of controls at national land borders, airports, and ports after the German Ministry of Agriculture declared an outbreak of the disease in that country.
The measure adopted by the national agency follows a health alert reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) by Germany, after detecting foot-and-mouth disease in three water buffaloes in the Märkisch-Oderland district (Brandenburg).
In response to this situation, the German Veterinary Authority reported that it is applying containment measures, such as the establishment of protection and surveillance zones, and a ban on the movement of animals from the affected area.
Following the official communication, Senasa ordered the suspension of imports of bovine semen and of products and by-products of ruminant origin (cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats), as well as pork and game products originating from Germany, in which the disease-free status of the country was previously certified, as a preventive measure.
Additionally, Senasa requested the European country's authorities to provide expanded epidemiological information about the event. The reinstatement of imports will depend on the evolution of the situation and on the future recognition granted by the WOAH once the outbreak is declared over.