Philippines Prohibits German Animal Product Imports Due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease Risk

Synopsis

The Philippines has imposed a temporary ban on animal product imports from Germany due to an outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD). The decision aims to protect local livestock from the highly contagious disease while allowing certain products to remain exempt from the ban.

Key Takeaways

Temporary import ban on German animal products.
Emergency measure to protect local livestock.
Exemptions include certain dairy and meat products.
Germany reported FMD cases to health authorities.
Philippines' beef imports from Germany are minimal.

Manila, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Philippines has enacted a temporary prohibition on the import of animal products from Germany following a recent outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) in the European nation, according to local media reports on Wednesday.

Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel stated in a memorandum released on Monday that this import ban is an emergency measure aimed at safeguarding local livestock from this highly contagious animal disease.

"The order will be effective immediately and will remain in place until it is officially rescinded," the memorandum indicated.

Notably, some products are exempt from this ban, including ultra-high temperature milk and its derivatives, heat-treated meat products in hermetically sealed packaging, protein meal, gelatin, and in vivo-derived bovine embryos, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Germany informed the World Organization for Animal Health about confirmed cases of FMD in domestic buffaloes as early as January.

Data shows that in 2024, the Philippines imported 3,177.5 metric tonnes of beef from Germany, making up about 0.5% of the nation’s total beef imports.

It is crucial to note that Hand-foot-and-mouth disease or FMD is a mild viral infection commonly found in young children. Symptoms include mouth sores and a rash on the hands and feet, primarily caused by a coxsackievirus.

Currently, there is no specific treatment for hand-foot-and-mouth disease. Regular hand-washing and minimizing close contact with infected individuals can effectively reduce a child's risk of contracting the illness.

This disease may present a variety of symptoms, including:

Fever
Sore throat
Feeling unwell
Painful, blister-like lesions on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks
Loss of appetite

The incubation period typically ranges from 3 to 6 days, during which children may experience fever and sore throats. They might also lose their appetite and feel unwell.

One or two days post-fever, painful sores may manifest in the mouth or throat, accompanied by a rash on the hands, feet, and sometimes the buttocks.

Sores in the back of the mouth may indicate a related viral condition called herpangina, characterized by sudden high fever and, in rare instances, seizures. Occasionally, sores may appear on the hands, feet, or other body parts.